First Clinical Evidence with One-Year Monitoring of Babesia
Gibsoni Mono-Infection in Two Dogs from Serbia
Strahinja Milošević1, Anja Ilić Božović1,
Vladimir Magaš1, Ratko Sukara2, Snežana
Tomanović2, Milena Radaković1, Kristina
Spariosu1, Milica Kovačević Filipović1 and
Jelena Francuski Andrić1*
1Faculty
of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia,
2Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of
Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Centre of Excellence for
Food and Vector-Borne Zoonoses, Group for Medical Entomology,
Belgrade, Serbia
*Corresponding author:
jelenaf@vet.bg.ac.rs
Abstract
In Serbia, Babesia gibsoni in dogs is
less common than Babesia canis.
Although two clinical cases were reported a decade ago, no additional
clinical reports have since been published. Recently, a co-infection of B.
gibsoni and B. canis was documented in Austria following a dog’s trip
to Serbia. The objectives of this study
were to present comprehensive clinicopathological results
of two clinical cases of
B. gibsoni mono-infection in dogs in
Serbia. Two male dogs: an 11-year-old Shih Tzu, and a 2-year-old Pit Bull
Terrier, presented with clinical signs related to babesiosis with a history of
biting by another dog. Both dogs had regenerative anemia, thrombocytopenia, and
monocytosis while Shih Tzu had immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA).
B. gibsoni mono-infection was
confirmed by PCR testing. Both dogs were treated with a single dose of
imidocarb-dipropionate, and a combination of metronidazole, clindamycin, and
doxycycline (MCD protocol). The Shih Tzu also received prednisolone for three
weeks. Following the MCD protocol, the Pitt Bull recovered, although
thrombocytopenia persisted for nine months. In contrast, Shih Tzu's clinical
condition worsened. The prednisolone treatment was discontinued, and
azithromycin and atovaquone were introduced, leading to recovery after another
three weeks of treatment. Long-term clinical and PCR monitoring revealed
that the Pit Bull Terrier exhibited a more favorable response and a lower
frequency of relapses compared to Shih Tzu.
The findings suggest that B.
gibsoni has become a clinically significant pathogen in Serbia.
The MCD protocol appears effective for treating acute B. gibsoni
infection in dogs, but further investigation is required to evaluate its
efficacy in eliminating the parasite.
To Cite This Article:
MiloševićS, BožovićIlić A, MagašV, SukaraR, TomanovićS, RadakovićM, SpariosuK,
Kovačević FilipovićM and Francuski AndrićJ, 2024.
First clinical evidence with one-year monitoring of Babesia gibsoni
mono-infection in two dogs from Serbia.
Pak Vet J. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2024.286