[From piroplasmosis to babesiosis--problems with classification of Babesia protozoa isolated from dogs].

Abstract

Babesia and Theileria are the tick-borne parasites belonging to the order Piroplasmida. Both of them cause a severe disease with symptoms of hemolytic anemia. The main etiological factors of canine piroplasmosis are protozoa Babesia. There are two species of this pathogen infective for dogs: Babesia canis and Babesia gibsoni. Based on the results of molecular biology techniques it is possible to distinguish them as well as many subspecies or strains. It is known since quite some time that there are substantial differences in vector specificity, cross-immunity and pathogenicity between isolates of this species. Also the results of molecular analysis of these protozoa indicate that their genetic structure is diversified. On the basis of analysis of Babesia DNA sequences, the new variants of protozoa in dogs were detected. It is possible that, these new variants of Babesia are characterized by high virulence for dogs and resistance to drugs used in babesiosis therapy.