Clinico-pathological findings in B. canis infected dogs in Egypt

Abstract

Canine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by haemoprotozoan parasites, until recently, only Babesia canis was detected in Egypt. Although canine babesiosis is a widespread disease; few papers have discussed the serum biochemical alterations associated with this disease. Semi-nested PCR-confirmed B. canis vogeli sera were used to study the serum biochemical alterations associated with B. canis vogeli. Results from infected dogs showed hypoalbuminaemia, and increased total bilirubin and liver enzyme activity; these parameters were the most consistent abnormalities found in the serum of infected dogs. In dogs with a history of tick infestation, serum biochemical alterations: increased liver enzyme activity, hyper bilirubinaemia and increased blood urea nitrogen, may help in establishing tentative diagnosis of canine babesiosis which may help at the onset of treatment whilst waiting for confirmation by PCR.