An atypical case of Babesia bigemina parasitising a dog from a rural area of eastern Mexico

Rev Bras Parasitol Vet. 2022 Aug 8;31(3):e006622. doi: 10.1590/S1984-29612022039. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

A dog that shared habitat with domestic animals in a cattle farm and that was exposed to wildlife was taken to a private practitioner for clinical examination. The analyses conducted on the patient revealed the presence of Babesia bigemina by a molecular test. Clinical signs such as lethargy, anorexia and hyperthermia > 39 °C, pale mucous membranes and blood urine were observed in the patient. The animal was treated with imidocarb dipropionate (two doses each 0.5 ml/10 kg b.w. at an interval of 14 days). On treatment day 7, the clinical signs were mostly reduced. On day 30, PCR was carried out to assess the efficacy of the treatment, with a negative result. This case represents the first report of babesiosis due to B. bigemina in a dog living on a cattle farm in Mexico. It indicates the lower host specify of these pathogens and that dogs can play a role as sentinels of vector-borne parasites in livestock animals.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Babesia* / genetics
  • Babesiosis* / diagnosis
  • Babesiosis* / drug therapy
  • Babesiosis* / parasitology
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases* / parasitology
  • Dog Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Dog Diseases* / drug therapy
  • Dogs
  • Mexico
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary