A molecular and serological survey in Taiwan to determine the true risk of babesiosis in dogs not receiving regular tick prevention
Journal
Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports
Journal Volume
27
Date Issued
2022
Author(s)
Abstract
Canine babesiosis is an important tick-borne disease worldwide. The prevalence varies between regions and countries; however, the incidence of tick infection is associated with the status of preventive tick control measures by the owner. To date, no studies have investigated the incidence of canine babesiosis and the condition of tick prevention in Taiwan. Therefore, the true risk of babesiosis could be underestimated in dogs that are not receiving tick prophylaxis. Samples were collected at 51 hospitals around Taiwan from 265 dogs not receiving regular tick prophylaxis. Diagnostic real-time PCR was performed, and 28 dogs (10.6%) were positive for Babesia spp., including B. gibsoni (26/28) and B. vogeli (2/28). Thirty-nine dogs (14.7%) were seropositive to B. gibsoni. Take the real-time PCR positive as the Babesia infected case, the positive and negative predictive value of serological assay were 64.1% and 98.7%, respectively. The seropositivity of B. gibsoni was significantly associated with real-time PCR positivity for Babesia spp. and vice versa (p < 0.001). The odds of seropositive representing real-time PCR positivity was 132.7 times greater than the seronegative (OR: 132.731, 95% CI 35.683–493.728). Risk factors in the population identified included: dogs with a short-haired coat; intact dogs; dogs from multi-dog households; dogs with more than 10 ticks and fleas on the skin; dogs that go outdoors more than 9 times per week; and dogs with an abnormal blood test result that included anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia. However, the dogs were not tested for other co-infections, therefore, these hematological risk factors should be carefully interpreted and confirmed by further diagnostic tests. In conclusion, when dogs present with abnormal blood test results and share the risk factors listed above, babesiosis should be seriously considered and followed up with molecular and serological testing. The serological assay used in this study can provide valuable information in diagnosing babesiosis in dogs in Taiwan. ? 2021 The Authors
Subjects
Babesiosis
Canine
Prevalence
Risk factors
Tick
edetic acid
heat shock protein 70
horseradish peroxidase
oligonucleotide
RNA 18S
adult
anemia
animal experiment
animal model
Article
Babesia
Babesia gibsoni
blood analysis
blood cell count
blood sampling
canine babesiosis
controlled study
diagnostic test accuracy study
erythrocyte count
female
hematocrit
leukocyte count
leukopenia
male
multiplex polymerase chain reaction
nonhuman
plate ELISA
platelet count
predictive value
prevalence
prophylaxis
quality control
questionnaire
real time polymerase chain reaction
risk factor
sensitivity and specificity
serology
thrombocytopenia
tick
SDGs
Type
journal article