The First Records of Canine Babesiosis in Dogs from Dermacentor reticulatus—Free Zone in Poland

• DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111329
• Publication Date: 2022-11-14T07:26:37Z
• Authors: Olga Pawełczyk; Damian Kotela; Marek Asman; Joanna Witecka; Peter Wilhelmsson; Paulina Bubel; Krzysztof Solarz
• Keywords: Babesia canis; Dermacentor reticulatus; Tick-borne disease

Tick-borne microorganisms belong to important etiological agents of many infectious diseases affecting humans and animals. Among them, there are haemoprotozoans the Babesia genus, which infect erythrocytes a host may cause clinical symptoms. Canine babesiosis is an emerging tick-borne disease in Southern Central Europe. In this study, we report two cases symptomatic canine caused by canis domestic dogs from Silesian Voivodeship, Poland, as well presence Dermacentor reticulatus ticks detected on one Babesia-infected (D. reticulatus-free zone). The molecular analysis confirmed dogs’ blood, sequencing showed that obtained sequence 100% identical isolate 3469 (sequence ID: KX712122.1). Our findings should raise awareness B. infection among dog owners veterinarians region where was not previously reported residential, non-traveling dogs, ensuring adequate diagnostic methods available.