Canine babesiosis: autochthonous today, endemic tomorrow?

RECENT reports of autochthonous canine babesiosis in the UK (Cook and others 2016, Phipps and others 2016) suggest that Babesia canis may well become increasingly common in some parts of the country, possibly due to climatic changes that favour its vector (the tick Dermacentor reticulatus) and an increased frequency of international travel among companion animals. While diagnoses of babesiosis in Essex have garnered media attention in recent weeks, these events are of wider significance because they highlight the risk posed by the introduction of tickborne parasites, with at least one case of autochthonous canine ehrlichiosis diagnosed in south-east England (Tasker 2013, Wilson and others 2013), a previously reported autochthonous Babesia vogeli infection (Holm and others 2006) and unpublished reports of Babesia species in untravelled dogs identified via the Acarus Laboratory in Bristol. While Babesia species are recognised pathogens in dogs, cats, humans and ungulates, the most clinically relevant species...
Source: Veterinary Record - Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Tags: Editorials Research Source Type: research