Original scientific paper

First detection of Babesia gibsoni infection in Philippine stray dogs by immunochromatographic test (ICT).

Mary Jane Cruz-Flores ; Biology Department, College of Science, De La Salle University-Manila, Manila, Philippines
Florencia Garcia Claveria ; Biology Department, College of Science, De La Salle University-Manila, Manila, Philippines
Rodolfo Verdida ; Biology Department, College of Science, De La Salle University-Manila, Manila, Philippines
Xuenan Xuan ; National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido, Japan
Ikuo Igarashi ; National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract

A total of 46 stray dogs in an impounding facility comprising 17 males and 29 females were diagnosed using the Babesia gibsoni P50 truncated antigen immunochromatographic test (P50t-ICT). Thirteen dogs (28.0%) were serologically positive. There was no cross-reactivity with serum samples from Babesia canis (= B. vogeli)-infected dogs and none of the ICT strips showed invalid results, which reinforce the sensitivity and specificity of the P50t antigen and the reliability and accuracy of the P50t-ICT. Thirty-seven (80.4%) dogs had mixed tick infestations principally of the genus Rhipicephalus and Boophilus. From 11 seropositive and 20 seronegative dogs a total of 80 Rhipicephalus ticks were pooled. Among the 33 seronegative dogs, 48.5% had infestation with Rhipicephalus sp. only, 12.1% with Boophilus sp. only, 12.1% with mixed Rhipicephalus sp. and Boophilus sp., and 19.6% were un-infested. This paper documents the first account of serological detection of B. gibsoni in stray dogs and their infestation mainly with Rhipicephalus sp. suggestive of their role as putative key vectors of B. gibsoni in Philippine stray dogs.

Keywords

Babesia gibsoni; P50t-ICT; Philippine stray dogs; ticks

Hrčak ID:

24146

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/24146

Publication date:

21.4.2008.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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