Abstract
Babesiosis is a worldwide, tick-borne disease of economic importance in livestock caused by Babesia spp., which are hemoparasitic piroplasms that target the host erythrocytes. Cattle, dogs, small ruminants, and wild ruminants are the species most commonly affected, while in cats, horses, and pigs, it is less frequently reported. Although babesiosis has been observed worldwide, porcine babesiosis remains an uncommon disease with a very limited number of cases reported. Here, we describe a case in a 12-year old pot-bellied pig from South Africa that died after a history of anorexia and reluctance to rise for 2 days. A complete necropsy, blood smear cytology, reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization and 18S rRNA sequencing were performed. Numerous Babesia spp. hemoparasites and a moderate regenerative anemia were identified on blood smear, and a urine dipstick test yielded 4+ heme. Diffuse icterus and splenomegaly were observed upon gross examination. Histopathology revealed hemoglobin casts within renal tubules and collecting ducts, pulmonary edema, splenic congestion, and intrahepatic cholestasis. BLASTN homology of the 18SrRNA sequence revealed a 100% identity to the published sequence of Babesia sp. Suis isolated from pigs in Italy. This case of babesiosis in a pig highlights the clinical manifestations and gross and pathological findings of porcine babesiosis.
Highlights
Babesiosis, caused by Babesia spp., is a tick-borne disease of economic importance in livestock
Porcine babesiosis may be missed if peripheral blood smears are not performed or if babesiosis is not considered as a differential diagnosis in areas with historically low incidence of tick-borne disease
Gross findings such as icterus, anemia, and hemoglobinuria are non-specific, and differential diagnoses to consider in pigs included babesiosis, Eperythrozoon suis, and acute leptospirosis [9]
Summary
Babesiosis, caused by Babesia spp., is a tick-borne disease of economic importance in livestock. This disease is found worldwide but is most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, where climatic conditions are more favorable for ticks [1]. Babesia spp. infect and multiply within red blood cells, and the continual replication and exit of the intraerythrocytic piroplasms results in erythrocyte lysis. A complex interaction of direct and indirect mechanisms of erythrocyte damage result in hemolytic anemia and clinical signs of icterus, hemoglobinuria, and nephrosis [2,3,4,5]. Anemia, lethargy, lameness, reluctance to stand, high fever, and abortion manifest secondary to reduced oxygen-carrying capacity and compromised tissue perfusion [3, 6]. Case fatality rates can be significant in severe acute infection or chronic infection without treatment
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