Babesia canis and Babesia rossi co-infection in an untraveled Nigerian dog.
A sexually intact 6-month-old female Alsatian dog was presented to the Veterinary Clinic of the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria, for the following complaints: anorexia, hemoglobinuria, fever, tick infestation and general malaise. Microscopy revealed piroplasms with a wide range of sizes (1-5 μm in length) in red blood cells, raising a suspicion of a co-infection with two or more Babesia species. Specific PCR assays for canine Babesia spp. and DNA sequencing revealed the presence of Babesia canis and Babesia rossi co-infection. This study constitutes the first report of co-infection with B. canis and B. rossi in the West African sub-region and the first report of autochthonous B. canis on the African continent. Practitioners should be aware of potential changes in the species/sub-species of Babesia causing canine babesiosis in this region.
Kamani
Joshua
J
Parasitology Division, National Veterinary Research, Institute PMB 01, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Sannusi
Abdulrahim
A
Dogo
A Goni
AG
Tanko
James T
JT
Egwu
Kinsley O
KO
Tafarki
Agbadu E
AE
Ogo
Isaac N
IN
Kemza
Sarah
S
Onovoh
Emmanuel
E
Shamaki
David
D
Lombin
Lami H
LH
Catto
Victoria
V
Birkenheuer
Adam J
AJ
D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001403:Babesia / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004133:Diminazene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D009549:Nigeria; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; C003915:diminazene aceturate; D004133:Diminazene