title: First molecular identification of Babesia gibsoni in dogs from Slovakia, central Europe.
abstract: Canine babesiosis is a severe and potentially life threatening infection. In Europe, Babesia canis is considered to be the most common species responsible for the disease. We report two cases of babesiosis caused by Babesia gibsoni. The polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and further sequencing of 18S rRNA gene fragments from blood samples of both dogs revealed the identity of isolates with B. gibsoni genotypes from other dogs worldwide. This species was previously not known to infect dogs in Slovakia. It is resistant to traditional anti-babesial therapy. Therefore, correct diagnosis is crucial for the successful treatment, especially in dogs with hemolytic anemia and febrile conditions.
authors: Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia. Electronic address: vichova@saske.sk.
authors: Bronislava
authors: B
authors: Víchová
authors: Veterinary Clinic - V.M.D. Milan Švihran, Semenárska 36, Bratislava-Jarovce, Slovakia.
authors: Mária
authors: M
authors: Horská
authors: Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia.
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Blaňarová
authors: Veterinary Clinic - V.M.D. Milan Švihran, Semenárska 36, Bratislava-Jarovce, Slovakia.
authors: Milan
authors: M
authors: Švihran
authors: Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Andersson
authors: Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia.
authors: Branislav
authors: B
authors: Peťko
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053626:Atovaquone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001403:Babesia / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005838:Genotype; D008297:Male; D002727:Proguanil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018154:Slovakia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000962:Antimalarials; D004338:Drug Combinations; C109496:atovaquone, proguanil drug combination; D017963:Azithromycin; D002727:Proguanil; D053626:Atovaquone
keywords: B. gibsoni; PCR; Pit bull terrier; RFLP; Slovakia