Haematobiochemical alterations in canine babesiosis

Abstract

Canine babesiosis is an important tick-borne haemoprotozoan disease of dogs caused by intraerythrocytic parasites of the genus Babesia. The disease is characterized by anaemia, thrombocytopenia and biochemical alterations reflecting hepatic, renal dysfunction and systemic inflammatory reaction. The present study investigated haematological and biochemical changes in 24 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive dogs naturally infected with Babesia spp., and compared them with apparently healthy controls. Haematological findings revealed significant decreases in haemoglobin, packed cell volume (PCV) and erythrocyte counts, while leukocytosis was the most common leukocyte alteration in case of Canine Babesiosis. Thrombocytopenia was observed in 75% of cases. Biochemical evaluation revealed elevated serum ALT, ALP, creatinine, BUN, globulin and bilirubin levels, while albumin was significantly decreased. These results confirm that canine babesiosis causes considerable alterations in both haematological and biochemical parameters, indicating the pathophysiological effects of intravascular haemolysis, immune-mediated injury, hepatic and renal dysfunction.