Canine babesiosis among working dogs of organised kennels in India: A comprehensive haematological, biochemical, clinicopathological and molecular epidemiological multiregional study

Publication date: Available online 22 May 2019Source: Preventive Veterinary MedicineAuthor(s): Mitesh Mittal, Krishnendu Kundu, Soumendu Chakravarti, Jajati K. Mohapatra, V.K. Singh, B. Raja Kumar, Vikas Thakur, C.P. Churamani, Anil KumarAbstractCanine babesiosis is a serious disease among tick-borne haemoprotozoan diseases, globally. The present study was envisaged for carrying out thorough investigation of the disease among working dogs of organised kennels situated in different agro-climatic zones of India as comprehensive understanding of the disease from this country was pertinently lacking. During the study period of three years (2012-2014), 330 dogs suspected for babesiosis were examined for clinicopathology by their physical examination, haematological and biochemical parameters estimation, while the detection of apicomplexan parasites was confirmed by using various diagnostic techniques i.e. by conventional microscopy, by two different Babesia specific 18S rRNA based PCR protocols (conventional/simple PCR and nested PCR assays) followed by sequencing of obtained PCR amplicons for Babsesia spp. identification. Out of 330 clinical cases screened 5.15% (17/330), 9.09% (30/330) and 15.45% (51/330) were found to be positive in microscopic examination, simple- and nested- PCR assay, respectively. Comparative statistical analyses of these diagnostic assay results revealed that significant difference exists among the three diagnostic methodologies and thus it is recommended ...
Source: Preventive Veterinary Medicine - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research