Molecular prevalence and clinical profiles of canine babesiosis in northern India

BACKGROUND: Canine babesiosis is a significant and emerging tick-borne disease caused by Babesia spp. This study investigated the molecular prevalence, hematobiochemical profiles, and risk factors for B. vogeli and B. gibsoni infections in dogs in northern India, addressing the molecular research on babesiosis prevalence in this region. RESULTS: An overall prevalence of canine babesiosis by microscopy and PCR was 12.5% (27/216) and 27.78% (60/216), respectively. The prevalence rates for B. vogeli by microscopy and conventional PCR were 10.64% and 22.22%, respectively, whereas the corresponding rates for B. gibsoni were 1.85% and 5.55%, respectively. Results revealed that B. vogeli was the predominant species. Non-descript dogs were significantly more susceptible to B. vogeli infection (OR: 27.491; 95% CI: 1.092-692.018; P < 0.05). Additionally, dogs with enlarged lymph nodes were three times more likely to be B. vogeli-positive (OR = 3.338; 95% CI: 1.345-8.287; P < 0.05). Dogs under one year had higher odds of B. vogeli infection, but this was not statistically significant (OR = 1.765; 95% CI: 0.663-4.703). Similarly, B. gibsoni infection was associated with dogs over four years old (P < 0.001) and males (P < 0.05). Vital parameters (temperature, pulse rate, and respiration rate) showed no significant association with B. vogeli and B. gibsoni infections. Hematological parameters, viz., hemoglobin (Hb), total erythrocyte count (TEC), packed cell volume (PCV), and platelet count, were significantly decreased in both B. vogeli and B. gibsoni affected dogs (P < 0.05). Babesia gibsoni-infected dogs had significantly lower TEC, PCV, and platelet count than B. vogeli-infected dogs. Biochemical parameters, viz., alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TB), direct bilirubin (DB), indirect bilirubin (IDB), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), were significantly increased, with decreased albumin levels (P < 0.05). Babesia gibsoni-infected dogs had significantly higher BUN, TB, and IDB levels than B. vogeli-infected dogs. Treatment was based on the Babesia species, with imidocarb dipropionate for B. vogeli and a combination therapy (diminazene aceturate, imidocarb dipropionate, and clindamycin) for B. gibsoni, which showed promising efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlighted the importance of accurate diagnosis and species-specific treatment for canine babesiosis, with B. vogeli being more prevalent (22.22%) than B. gibsoni (5.55%), and distinct risk factors and clinical implications for each Babesia species in northern India. These findings contribute to the understanding of Babesia epidemiology in the region and highlight the need for further studies to inform the development of targeted control strategies.