University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, Wisconsin, United States
Abstract:
Background: Babesiosis in dogs is thought to be rare in the upper Midwest, so infections in this geographic region may go undetected or misdiagnosed. Because of the potential for Babesia species geographic range to expand with climate and land-use change and globalization in pet travel, it is important to provide updated estimates of exposure in dogs. Hypothesis/
Objectives: To estimate the period-prevalence of Babesia exposure in thrombocytopenic dogs, and in future to determine if exposure in this non-endemic area is associated with thrombocytopenia. AnimalsSerum and EDTA whole blood samples from 418 dogs presented to University of Wisconsin Veterinary Care (UWVC) with (n=209) and without (n=209) thrombocytopenia over a one-year period (March 2021 - March 2022).
Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Broad and species-specific PCR of whole blood, and indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assay and enzyme-linked immunological assay (ELISA) of serum were performed to detect Babesia infection and exposure.
Results: Based on preliminary results, no thrombocytopenic dogs were Babesia spp. PCR positive from whole blood. Nine thrombocytopenic dogs (4.3%) were seroreactive on IFA and/or ELISA. Conclusions and clinical importance: While approximately 4% of thrombocytopenic dogs in the upper Midwest had serologic evidence of Babesia exposure, none had PCR evidence of active infection. Future work will evaluate the seroprevalence of Babesia exposure in non-thrombocytopenic dogs from the same geographic region to determine if Babesia exposure is associated with thrombocytopenia and should therefore be considered among differentials even in dogs with unknown travel history in this non-endemic area.
