Abstract
Abstract The purpose of the present study was to evaluate serum canine Cystatin-C (Cys-C) concentration for the prediction of renal function (RF) in dogs naturally infected with Babesia canis vogeli and Ehrlichia canis. A total of 46 dogs were enrolled into three groups. Group B included 16 dogs naturally infected with B. c. vogeli, group E 10 dogs naturally infected with E. canis [dogs diagnosed as canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME)], and group H involved 20 healthy controls (negative for B. c. vogeli and E. canis). Solely dogs presenting uncomplicated babesiosis caused by B. c. vogeli were enrolled. Serum urea and serum creatinine (Cre) levels with serum Urea:Cre ratios were analyzed. Canine serum Cys-C was determined with a species-specific commercially available and validated ELISA assay as a reference. Mean serum Cys-C levels were 5.28 mg/L, 3.02 mg/L, and 2.30 mg/L for groups B, E and H, respectively. RF in uncomplicated CB caused by B. c. vogeli seems to be affected based on serum Cys-C concentrations. To the author's knowledge, this is the first study reporting that mean serum canine Cys-C levels in dogs with CME demonstrated no elevation. Serum canine Cys-C as a novel RF marker could be used for early detection of renal injury in both babesiosis and CME.
Highlights
Canine babesiosis (CB) is a protozoan disease caused by infection with tick-borne parasites of the genus Babesia with a worldwide distribution and global significance
Group B included 16 dogs naturally infected with B. c. vogeli, group E included 10 dogs naturally infected with E. canis, and group H included 20 controls that were negative for B. c. vogeli and E. canis
Babesia canis vogeli and E. canis infected dogs both presented with suggestive clinical signs of the diseases
Summary
Canine babesiosis (CB) is a protozoan disease caused by infection with tick-borne parasites of the genus Babesia with a worldwide distribution and global significance. There are 5 species of this genus infecting dogs, i.e., Babesia canis, B. vogeli, B. rossi, B. gibsoni, and B. conradae [1]. Clinical signs associated with babesiosis frequently involve lethargy, anorexia, pale mucous membranes, hyperthermia, hemolytic anaemia, hemoglobinuria, and icterus [3]. CME is an infectious disease caused by the rickettsial organism E. canis that affects mainly domestic dogs [4]. CME is another important canine vector-borne disease with a worldwide distribution. The manifestations of the disease may be affected by the pathogenicity of different E. canis strains and co-infections with other arthropod-borne pathogens such as B. vogeli and Hepatozoon canis transmitted by the same vector [7]
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