title: In-clinic laboratory diagnosis of canine babesiosis (Babesia canis canis) for veterinary practitioners in Central Europe.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Haematological changes in dogs and climatic conditions favourable for the vector may assist in the quick in-house diagnosis of canine babesiosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples from 358 dogs suspected to have canine babesiosis were evaluated. The diagnosis was confirmed in 113 dogs by detection of Babesia canis by microscopic examination of a stained blood smear using the concentration line technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thrombocytopenia was present in all 113 dogs. Red blood cell count, packed cell volume and haemoglobin values were below the reference range in 62.8%, 61.1% and 46.0% of affected dogs, respectively. An increased reticulocyte count was apparent in five Babesia canis -positive dogs. Leukopenia, lymphopenia, neutropenia and monocytosis were present in 54.9%, 47.8%, 30.4% and 6.5% of the dogs, respectively. Evaluating haematological parameters by CART-analysis revealed a predictive model (accuracy= 93.5%) for canine babesiosis, when using the leucocyte, thrombocyte, and reticulocyte count. Climatic conditions present at the most probable time of Babesia canis- infection accounted for biseasonal occurrence. Changes of climatic factors during the year influence the vector activity and in conclusion should highlight babesiosis in the ranking of differentials for veterinarians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results demonstrate that a tentative diagnosis of canine babesiosis can be made based on typical haematological changes. The results recorded match well with the seasonality of the tick vector and were confirmed here by the month of sample submission.
authors.affiliation: Invitro GmbH, Vienna, Austria. georges.kirtz@invitro.at
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kirtz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leschnik
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hooijberg
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tichy
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leidinger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001096:Arachnid Vectors / Q000502:physiology; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D003870:Dermacentor / Q000502:physiology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs; D004906:Erythrocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000662:veterinary; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D017701:Reticulocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D012621:Seasons; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins