title: Babesia canis and Babesia rossi co-infection in an untraveled Nigerian dog.
abstract: 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.
authors: Parasitology Division, National Veterinary Research, Institute PMB 01, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria.
authors: Joshua
authors: J
authors: Kamani
authors: Abdulrahim
authors: A
authors: Sannusi
authors: A Goni
authors: AG
authors: Dogo
authors: James T
authors: JT
authors: Tanko
authors: Kinsley O
authors: KO
authors: Egwu
authors: Agbadu E
authors: AE
authors: Tafarki
authors: Isaac N
authors: IN
authors: Ogo
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Kemza
authors: Emmanuel
authors: E
authors: Onovoh
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Shamaki
authors: Lami H
authors: LH
authors: Lombin
authors: Victoria
authors: V
authors: Catto
authors: Adam J
authors: AJ
authors: Birkenheuer
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; C003915:diminazene aceturate; D004133:Diminazene