Geographical prevalence of canine babesiosis in Taiwan

Taiwanese researchers investigated the regional differences in tick-transmitted babesiosis infection in dogs. Their findings can provide basis for advice to owners on outdoor activities with their dogs.

Tick borne diseases cause health-concerns

Ticks are a major vector for disease-causing agents to both humans and animals. Their geographic expansion in areas where they were previously unknown is drawing global attention (1). Possibly driven by the climate changes, the abundance of ticks and tick-borne diseases is growing in both established and new regions. Due to the health-concerns, mapping ticks and tick-borne diseases is of importance.

Babesia gibsoni infection in dogs

Babesiosis is a common tick-borne infectious disease in dogs worldwide. The disease is caused by the parasite Babesia gibsoni and can lead to life-threatening hemolytic anemia. The hemo-protozoan parasite infects the red blood cells and causes their rupture. The infection, which was mainly observed in certain parts of Asia, has gradually spread to regions in Middle East, Africa, Europe, Brazil, North America, and Australia (2).

Regional differences in babesiosis infection

Bi-Ling Su and fellow researchers at the institute of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, National Taiwan University in Taipei investigated the regional differences in infection rates in blood collected from 388 stray dogs at various residential sites in Taiwan (3). To determine the blood cell counts and assess the severity of anemia, the Exigo veterinary hematological system was used. Anemia and thrombocytopenia were the primary conditions found in infected dogs. Platelet and differential white blood cell counts were confirmed under the microscope, while monitoring the presence of Babesia spp. In the blood smears.

The majority of infected dogs (> 90%) were found in the northern parts of Taiwan, which coincides with the distribution of the tick Haemaphysalis hystricis. None of the dogs in southern parts of Taiwan was affected, which correlated with the absence of H. hystricis from these parts of the country. The researchers conclude that their findings can provide helpful advice for dog owners and assist veterinarians with the differential diagnosis of canine babesiosis in Taiwan.

Exigo veterinary hematological system was used in the study.

Learn more

Find out more about the use of the automated Exigo veterinary hematological system in anemia investigations from the article Veterinary classifications and investigation of non-regenerative and regenerative anemia and the role and clinical relevance of reticulocytes

References

1. Sonenshine, D.E., Range expansion of tick disease vectors in North America: Implications for spread of tick-borne disease. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 15, 478 (2018).
2. Karasová et al. The Etiology, Incidence, Pathogenesis, Diagnostics, and Treatment of Canine Babesiosis Caused by Babesia gibsoni Infection. Animals (Basel) 12, 739 (2022).
3. Su et al. Correlation between Babesia Species Affecting Dogs in Taiwan and the Local Distribution of the Vector Ticks. Vet Sci 10, 227 (2023)