Canine Babesiosis Caused by Large <i>Babesia</i> Species: Global Prevalence and Risk Factors—A Review
Wojciech Zygner,
Olga Gójska-Zygner,
Justyna Bartosik,
Paweł Górski,
Justyna Karabowicz,
Grzegorz Kotomski,
Luke J. Norbury
Affiliations
Wojciech Zygner
Division of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
Olga Gójska-Zygner
Labros Veterinary Clinic, Św. Bonifacego 92, 02-940 Warsaw, Poland
Justyna Bartosik
Division of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
Paweł Górski
Division of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
Justyna Karabowicz
Division of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences—SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
Grzegorz Kotomski
Labros Veterinary Clinic, Św. Bonifacego 92, 02-940 Warsaw, Poland
Luke J. Norbury
Department of Biosciences and Food Technology, School of Science, STEM College, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
Canine babesiosis is a disease caused by protozoan pathogens belonging to the genus Babesia. Four species of large Babesia cause canine babesiosis (B. canis, B. rossi, B. vogeli, and the informally named B. coco). Although canine babesiosis has a worldwide distribution, different species occur in specific regions: B. rossi in sub-Saharan Africa, B. canis in Europe and Asia, and B. coco in the Eastern Atlantic United States, while B. vogeli occurs in Africa, southern parts of Europe and Asia, northern Australia, southern regions of North America, and in South America. B. vogeli is the most prevalent large Babesia species globally. This results from its wide range of monotropic vector species, the mild or subclinical nature of infections, and likely the longest evolutionary association with dogs. The most important risk factors for infection by large Babesia spp. include living in rural areas, kennels or animal shelters, or regions endemic for the infection, the season of the year (which is associated with increased tick activity), infestation with ticks, and lack of treatment with acaricides.
