Publications

prognostic markers in acute babesia canis infections.	canine babesiosis, caused by babesia canis, is a prevalent and clinically relevant disease in europe. severe acute babesiosis is characterized by a high mortality but prognosis is not always correlated with clinical signs nor with the level of parasitemia.	2017	26727465
origins of recently emerged foci of the tick dermacentor reticulatus in central europe inferred from molecular markers.	the ornate dog tick dermacentor reticulatus is vector of several blood parasites, including babesia canis, a causative agent of babesiosis. the geographical range of d. reticulatus in europe is discontinuous with a gap separating eastern and western macroregions. new foci observed in several locations in western and central europe were considered an expansion of the western population, including foci in western poland. in the present paper we used molecular markers to identify the origins of the ...	2017	28285892
canine tick-borne diseases in pet dogs from romania.	tick-borne diseases are of substantial concern worldwide for animals as well as humans. dogs have been a human companion for millennia, and their significant impact on human life renders disease in dogs to be of great concern. tick-borne diseases in dogs represent a substantial diagnostic challenge for veterinarians in that clinical signs are often diffuse and overlapping. in addition, co-infections with two or more pathogens enhance this problem further. molecular methods are useful to disentan ...	2017	28335825
horses infected by piroplasms different from babesia caballi and theileria equi: species identification and risk factors analysis in italy.	equine piroplasmosis (ep) caused by theileria equi and babesia caballi is a disease affecting the health and the international movement of horses. in order to assess prevalence of piroplasmid infection in the northwestern part of italy and to evaluate the associated risk factors, whole blood was collected from 135 horses from 7 different stables across the study area. pcr and sequencing were used to assess prevalence of infection and to identify detected piroplasms to species level. a total of 2 ...	2017	28288762
black-backed jackals (canis mesomelas) are natural hosts of babesia rossi, the virulent causative agent of canine babesiosis in sub-saharan africa.	babesia rossi, which is transmitted by haemaphysalis spp. and is highly virulent to domestic dogs, occurs only in sub-saharan africa. since dogs are not native to the region, it has been postulated that the natural host of b. rossi is an indigenous african canid. although various attempts at artificial infection indicated that black-backed jackals (canis mesomelas) could become subclinically infected with b. rossi, data on occurrence of b. rossi in free-ranging jackals was lacking. a long-term b ...	2017	28285591
surveillance for viral and parasitic pathogens in a vulnerable african lion (panthera leo) population in the northern tuli game reserve, botswana.	african lion ( panthera leo ) numbers are decreasing rapidly and populations are becoming smaller and more fragmented. infectious diseases are one of numerous issues threatening free-ranging lion populations, and low-density populations are particularly at risk. we collected data on the prevalence and diversity of viral and parasitic pathogens in a small lion population in eastern botswana. during 2012 and 2014, blood samples were collected from 59% (n=13) of the adult-subadult lions in the nort ...	2017	27669009
dermacentor reticulatus (fabricius, 1794) and babesia canis (piana et galli-valerio, 1895) as the parasites of companion animals (dogs and cats) in the wrocław area, south-western poland.	tests performed in 2013 and 2014 revealed the occurrence of three tick species parasitizing pet cats and dogs in the wrocław agglomeration. in total, 1,455 tick specimens were removed from 931 hosts (760 dogs and 171 cats) in 18 veterinary clinics. the dominant tick species was ixodes ricinus (n=1272; 87.4%), followed by i. hexagonus (n=137; 9.4%) and dermacentor reticulatus (n=46; 3.2%). females were the most often collected development stage among i. ricinus and d. reticulatus, and nymphs amon ...	2017	27614478
utility of urinary markers in the assessment of renal dysfunction in canine babesiosis.	canine babesiosis is a common and clinically significant tick-borne disease caused by haemoprotozoan parasites of the genus babesia. acute renal failure is considered to be one of the most prevalent complications of canine babesiosis. this complication leads to a decrease in the glomerular filtration rate and in consequence causes azotemia and uremia. the objective of this study was to assess the localization and extent of renal damage in dogs infected with babesia canis using an urinary marker ...	2017	28074976
the prevalence and impact of babesia canis and theileria sp. in free-ranging grey wolf (canis lupus) populations in croatia.	babesia spp. and theileria spp. are important emerging causes of disease in dogs. alongside these domesticated hosts, there is increasing recognition that these piroplasms can also be found in a range of wild animals with isolated reports describing the presence of these pathogen in foxes (vulpes vulpes) and captive grey wolves (canis lupus). the prevalence and impact of these infections in free-ranging populations of canids are unknown. to gain a better insight into the epidemiology and pathoge ...	2017	28376903
species of ticks and carried pathogens in owned dogs in spain: results of a one-year national survey.	this study presents the results of a national survey in spain on the distribution of ticks on owned dogs, their phenology and the associated pathogens over one year. in the study, 1628 adult ticks were collected on 660 dogs presented to 26 veterinary practices, of which 507 dogs (76.8%) carried at least one adult tick. the primary species of ticks were rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. (53%), dermacentor reticulatus (9%), ixodes ricinus (9%), and i. hexagonus (4%). parasitism by two species of these ...	2017	28188085
specificity of mass spectrometry (maldi-tof) in the diagnosis of babesia canis regarding to other canine vector-borne diseases.	the canine vector-borne diseases (cvbd) is a term, which describes a range of infectious or/and parasitic diseases whose etiological agents are transmitted by vectors. cvbd are becoming more widely in the world in relation to global warming and the increasing number of infected vectors. the aim of this study was to assess rapid mass spectrometry (ms) - based proteomics analyses for diagnosis of babesia canis, anaplasma phagocytophilum and borrelia burgdorferi infections in dogs. the study was co ...	2017	27614473
first molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in dogs from jiangxi, china.	in this study, blood samples obtained from 162 dogs in jiangxi, china, were employed in molecular screening of canine tick-borne pathogens by pcr and sequencing. babesia spp. gene fragment was detected in 12 (7.41%) dogs. all samples were negative for hepatozoon spp., ehrlichia canis, coxiella spp., borrelia spp., rickettsia spp. and anaplasma platys. species-specific pcr analysis further confirmed that 8 (4.94%) and 4 (2.47%) dogs were infected by babesia canis vogeli and babesia gibsoni, respe ...	2017	27890889
molecular detection of vector-borne pathogens in blood and splenic samples from dogs with splenic disease.	the spleen is a highly perfused organ involved in the immunological control and elimination of vector-borne pathogens (vbp), which could have a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of splenic disease. this study aimed to evaluate certain vbp in samples from dogs with splenic lesions.	2017	28285583
relation of antioxidant status at admission and disease severity and outcome in dogs naturally infected with babesia canis canis.	canine babesiosis is caused by species of the babesia genus and has become an emerging disease worldwide. to the authors' knowledge there are no reports in which antioxidants have been analyzed in different presentations of canine babesiosis or in which the prognostic value of antioxidants has been studied. the aim of this study was to evaluate whether oxidative stress could be related to the severity and outcome of canine babesiosis. for this purpose a profile consisting of four antioxidant bio ...	2017	28438201
a new pcr assay for the detection and differentiation of babesia canis and babesia vogeli.	babesia spp. are globally distributed tick-borne protozoan parasites that infect the red blood cells of a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including humans. diagnosis of babesiosis is often impeded by the transient presence of the parasites in peripheral blood, as well as by their pleomorphic nature. given the reports of an expanding and, in some cases, sympatric geographical distribution of babesia canis and babesia vogeli in dogs and associated vectors, in europe, the development of time-effici ...	2017	28739301
a pcr survey of vector-borne pathogens in different dog populations from turkey.	in the present study, a total of 192 blood samples were collected from pet dogs, kennel dogs and shepherd dogs in konya district, turkey, and tested by specific pcr for the presence of vector-borne pathogens. several pathogens were identified, most of which can cause substantial morbidity in dogs. pcr results revealed that 54 (28.1%) dogs were infected with one or more pathogens. positive results were obtained for babesia spp. in 4 dogs (2.1%), hepatozoon spp. in 8 dogs (4.2%) and mycoplasma spp ...	2017	28682765
a survey of canine haemoprotozoan parasites from turkey, including molecular evidence of an unnamed babesia.	canine tick-borne apicomplexan parasites have emerged in recent years, showing a wider geographic distribution and increased global prevalence. a reverse line blot assay was performed on 219 blood samples collected from domestic dogs for simultaneous detection of all named canine piroplasm species as well as hepatozoon canis. ten samples hybridized to the theileria/babesia and babesia catch all probes but did not hybridize to any species-specific probe tested, suggesting the presence of an unrec ...	2017	28673460
first molecular detection of piroplasm infection in pet dogs from gansu, china.	babesiosis, the hemolytic disease caused by babesia, which is a tick-transmitted obligate intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite. this disease is responsible for significant mortality and morbidity rates and enormous economic losses to the livestock industry in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. in this study, blood samples were collected from 141 pet dogs from gansu, china, and analyzed for babesia or theileria spp. infection using specific pcr and sequencing based on 18s rrna gene fragm ...	2017	28638376
molecular identification of babesia spp. in naturally infected dogs of kerala, south india.	canine babesiosis is a tick borne haemoprotozoan disease caused by large and small intraerythrocytic apicomplexan piroplasms of the genus babesia spp. the clinical manifestations of the disease vary from inapparent subclinical form to hyperacute shock related haemolytic crisis. microscopic examination of blood smears from suspected dogs revealed babesia canis and b. gibsoni in 3.45 and 25.86 % of samples respectively. a seminested pcr based on previously published species specific primers target ...	2017	28615859
occurrence and diversity of arthropod-transmitted pathogens in red foxes (vulpes vulpes) in western austria, and possible vertical (transplacental) transmission of hepatozoon canis.	red fox (vulpes vulpes) is the most abundant wild canid species in austria, and it is a well-known carrier of many pathogens of medical and veterinary concern. the main aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence and diversity of protozoan, bacterial and filarial parasites transmitted by blood-feeding arthropods in a red fox population in western austria. blood (n = 351) and spleen (n = 506) samples from foxes were examined by pcr and sequencing and the following pathogens were id ...	2017	28835291
new wide dynamic range assays for quantification of anti-leishmania igg2 and iga antibodies in canine serum.	the aims of this study were (1) to develop and validate time resolved-immunofluorometric assays for the detection of anti-leishmania igg2 and iga antibodies in canine serum and (2) to evaluate the ability of these assays to quantify different amounts of anti-leishmania antibodies in leishmania-seronegative and seropositive dogs, determined by a commercial elisa assay, and between different clinical stages according to leishvet guidelines. the analytical validation showed that the assays had a go ...	2017	28669382
high-resolution melting pcr assay, applicable for diagnostics and screening studies, allowing detection and differentiation of several babesia spp. infecting humans and animals.	the goal of the study was to design a single tube pcr test for detection and differentiation of babesia species in dna samples obtained from diverse biological materials. a multiplex, single tube pcr test was designed for amplification of approximately 400 bp region of the babesia 18s rrna gene. universal primers were designed to match dna of multiple babesia spp. and to have low levels of similarity to dna sequences of other intracellular protozoa and babesia hosts. the pcr products amplified f ...	2017	28795223
genome-wide analysis of gene expression and protein secretion of babesia canis during virulent infection identifies potential pathogenicity factors.	infections of dogs with virulent strains of babesia canis are characterized by rapid onset and high mortality, comparable to complicated human malaria. as in other apicomplexan parasites, most babesia virulence factors responsible for survival and pathogenicity are secreted to the host cell surface and beyond where they remodel and biochemically modify the infected cell interacting with host proteins in a very specific manner. here, we investigated factors secreted by b. canis during acute infec ...	2017	28611446
emergence of babesia canis in southern england.	the united kingdom is considered free of autochthonous transmission of canine babesiosis although cases are reported in dogs associated with recent travel abroad. during the winter months of 2015/16, a cluster of cases of disease in dogs with signs suggestive of canine babesiosis were reported in harlow, essex.	2017	28514953
prevalence and geographic distribution of vector-borne pathogens in apparently healthy dogs in croatia.	vector-borne pathogens (vbps) are a group of globally extended and quickly spreading pathogens that are transmitted by various arthropod vectors. the aim of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence against babesia canis, anaplasma phagocytophilum, borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, leishmania infantum, dirofilaria immitis, and ehrlichia canis in dogs in croatia. we investigated 435 randomly selected apparently healthy dogs in 13 different locations of croatia for antibodies to b. ca ...	2017	28448211
eurasian golden jackal as host of canine vector-borne protists.	jackals are medium-sized canids from the wolf-like clade, exhibiting a unique combination of ancestral morphotypes, broad trophic niches, and close phylogenetic relationships with the wolf and dog. thus, they represent a potential host of several pathogens with diverse transmission routes. recently, populations of the eurasian golden jackal canis aureus have expanded into the western palaearctic, including most of europe. the aim of our study was to examine eurasian golden jackals from romania, ...	2017	28410591
an elisa for the early diagnosis of acute canine babesiosis detecting circulating antigen of large babesia spp.	babesia canis is the predominant babesia species in dogs in europe and is responsible for a severe and fatal disease. an increase in global pet tourism and a widening of the geographic distribution of the tick vector has led to the emergence of infections in areas where previously only imported cases have been reported. due to the potential for rapid and serious disease progression, direct parasite detection by stained blood smears and light microscopy or dna-based methods have traditionally bee ...	2017	28807287
acute-phase response in babesia canis and dirofilaria immitis co-infections in dogs.	babesia canis and dirofilaria immitis are emerging and geographically overlapping vector-borne pathogens in dogs. infection with b. canis leads to acute-phase response (apr) that can be mild to severe and results in either non-complicated or complicated forms of the disease. the aim of this study was to determine whether acute b. canis infection is more severe in dogs with underlying asymptomatic d. immitis infection. dogs of both sexes, different ages and breeds, with naturally occurring mono-i ...	2017	28802807
prevalence and distribution of borrelia and babesia species in ticks feeding on dogs in the u.k.	ticks were collected during march-july 2015 from dogs by veterinarians throughout the u.k. and used to estimate current prevalences and distributions of pathogens. dna was extracted from 4750 ticks and subjected to polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis to identify borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (spirochaetales: spirochaetaceae) and babesia (piroplasmida: babesiidae) species. of 4737 ticks [predominantly ixodes ricinus linneaus (ixodida: ixodidae)], b. burgdorferi s.l. was detected in ...	2017	28846148