Blood, Bull Terriers and Babesiosis: further evidence for direct transmission of Babesia gibsoni in dogs

Aust Vet J. 2007 Nov;85(11):459-63. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2007.00220.x.

Abstract

This study reports on the epidemiology of Babesia gibsoni in American Pit Bull Terriers living in a region of western Victoria in southern Australia. Both American Pit Bull Terriers (n = 100) and other dog breeds (n = 51) were screened for B gibsoni using immunofluorescent antibody testing (IFAT) and/or polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). A questionnaire was also completed by each dog owner, ascertaining the husbandry and habits of the dogs sampled. Fourteen dogs were positive for B gibsoni using IFAT and/or PCR-RFLP and all were American Pit Bull Terriers. Dogs that were male and/or had been bitten by or were biters of other American Pit Bull Terriers were more likely to be B gibsoni positive, thus suggesting that blood-to-blood transmission contributes to the spread of this disease between dogs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Husbandry / methods
  • Animals
  • Babesia / isolation & purification*
  • Babesiosis / blood
  • Babesiosis / epidemiology
  • Babesiosis / transmission
  • Babesiosis / veterinary*
  • Base Sequence
  • Bites and Stings / parasitology
  • Breeding
  • DNA / chemistry
  • DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious / veterinary
  • Dog Diseases / blood
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology
  • Dog Diseases / transmission*
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / veterinary
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length*
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Victoria / epidemiology

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan
  • DNA