<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> Introduction: The aim of this study was to carry out a genetic analysis of Babesia canis isolates detected in dogs in eastern Poland and to study the correlation of the protozoa variant with a specific geographical region. Material and Methods: PCR was used to identify strains of B. canis from naturally infected animals (240 dogs from four provinces: Mazowieckie, Lublin, Podlasie, and Podkarpacie) by amplifying and sequencing a fragment of the 18S rRNA gene. Results: Sequencing the PCR products led to the identification of four variants of B. canis. Two previously described protozoa variants (18S rRNA-A and 18S rRNA-B) were observed in all provinces. Additionally, in the Mazowieckie and Lublin provinces a B. canis variant which contributed to the development of acute or atypical babesiosis was observed. The fourth variant of B. canis was detected only in dogs from the Lublin province, and the course of the disease was subclinical in all dogs infected with this variant. Conclusion: These results indicate the appearance of a new fourth B. canis genotype in Poland and confirm that it is still necessary to study the relationships between the genetic structure of protozoa, geographical distribution of the parasites, and clinical course of the disease.</p></abstract>

Introduction: The aim of this study was to carry out a genetic analysis of Babesia canis isolates detected in dogs in eastern Poland and to study the correlation of the protozoa variant with a specific geographical region. Material and Methods: PCR was used to identify strains of B. canis from naturally infected animals (240 dogs from four provinces: Mazowieckie, Lublin, Podlasie, and Podkarpacie) by amplifying and sequencing a fragment of the 18S rRNA gene. Results: Sequencing the PCR products led to the identification of four variants of B. canis. Two previously described protozoa variants (18S rRNA-A and 18S rRNA-B) were observed in all provinces. Additionally, in the Mazowieckie and Lublin provinces a B. canis variant which contributed to the development of acute or atypical babesiosis was observed. The fourth variant of B. canis was detected only in dogs from the Lublin province, and the course of the disease was subclinical in all dogs infected with this variant. Conclusion: These results indicate the appearance of a new fourth B. canis genotype in Poland and confirm that it is still necessary to study the relationships between the genetic structure of protozoa, geographical distribution of the parasites, and clinical course of the disease.

Occurrence of different strains of Babesia canis in dogs in eastern Poland

Department of Epizootiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences Lublin, 20-612, Lublin,

Journal of Veterinary Research

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

{"article-title":"Occurrence of different strains of Babesia canis in dogs in eastern Poland"}

Introduction: The aim of this study was to carry out a genetic analysis of Babesia canis isolates detected in dogs in eastern Poland and to study the...

Occurrence of different strains of Babesia canis in dogs in eastern Poland

Published Online: Dec 17, 2016

Page range: 423 - 427

Received: May 10, 2016

Accepted: Nov 16, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jvetres-2016-0063

Keywords
dog, Babesia canis, 18S rRNA, PCR, Poland

© 2016

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Occurrence of different strains of Babesia canis in dogs in eastern Poland

Published Online: Dec 17, 2016

Page range: 423 - 427

Received: May 10, 2016

Accepted: Nov 16, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jvetres-2016-0063

Keywordsdog, Babesia canis, 18S rRNA, PCR, Poland

© 2016

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
dog, Babesia canis, 18S rRNA, PCR, Poland