Abstract
A severe regenerative anemia was detected in a 12-week-old mixed breed puppy in Sweden.A small protozoan parasite was observed in erythrocytes on a blood smear. It was initially suspected to be Babesia gibsoni based on its size and because B. gibsoni was previously recorded in Sweden.Surprisingly, specific polymerase chain reaction analysis identified the protozoan as Theileria annae. T. annae is endemic in Northwest Spain, is very uncommonly reported elsewhere and has never been recorded in Scandinavia. T. annae has been identified in dogs used for dog fighting, and it is thought to be transmitted by dog bites. This puppy was a mixed pit bull terrier. Pit bull terriers are sometimes used for dog fighting. T. annae has been reported to be transmitted vertically, and in light of the puppy’s age, this transmission was suspected in the present case.
Highlights
Several blood parasites, such as Babesia spp., infect erythrocytes in dogs and may lead to hemolytic anemia
Babesiosis in domestic dogs and wild canids is caused by several vector-borne, geographically widespread hemoprotozoan parasites belonging to the Babesia and Theileria genera, and the most commonly reported species in Europe include B. canis, B. gibsoni, B. vogeli and T. annae [1,2]
T. annae is called Babesia microti-like or Spanish isolate/agent because it is endemic in Galicia, Northwestern Spain
Summary
Several blood parasites, such as Babesia spp., infect erythrocytes in dogs and may lead to hemolytic anemia. Warming and increased dog traveling and importation may potentially change the distribution patterns of European tick populations, potentially leading to spread of infectious agents, such as T. annae, to Scandinavia. The purpose of this first report of T. annae infection in a dog in Scandinavia is to alert Scandinavian veterinarians of the presence of this infection. It should be a differential diagnosis in dogs with regenerative, hemolytic anemia This first case report of T. annae infection was a 12-week old Swedish, part pit bull puppy with severe regenerative anemia. Platelet aggregates were observed on blood smear examination, precluding an accurate automated platelet count, which recorded thrombocytopenia
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