title: Autochthonous canine babesiosis caused by Babesia canis canis in Latvia.
abstract: This is the first report of confirmed canine babesiosis in Latvia supporting the observed geographical expansion of this disease. Between 2009 and 2011 three dogs which have not traveled outside of Latvia were diagnosed with babesiosis. Hematological analysis and serological tests for granulocytic anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and borreliosis were negative (Idexx SNAP 4Dx test). Peripheral blood erythrocytes of the three dogs contained large Babesia that were identified as Babesia canis canis by PCR. Sequences of partial 18S rRNA gene were 98-100% similar to the sequences of B. canis canis isolated from dogs in other European countries. We conclude that these are the first autochthonous canine babesiosis cases reported from Latvia.
authors.affiliation: Latvia University of Agriculture, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jelgava, Latvia. inese.berzina@gmail.com
authors.forename: Inese
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Berzina
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Capligina
authors.forename: Viesturs
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Baumanis
authors.forename: Renate
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ranka
authors.forename: Dina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cirule
authors.forename: Ilze
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Matise
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001403:Babesia / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D007844:Latvia / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Autochthonous; Babesia canis canis; Canine babesiosis; Latvia; PCR