Identification of the causative agent of canine babesiosis in the North of Kazakhstan

Abstract

Background: Canine babesiosis is a common disease in the northern part of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in particular
in the Kostanay region. In recent years, a large number of cases of the disease with a variety of clinical symptoms have
been registered.
Aim: The purpose of the study was to monitor the spread, characterization, and identify the Babesia species involved
of Babesia species in ticks and blood of dogs in the Kostanai region.
Methods: The research work began in 2017 with the study of the spread of babesiosis in dogs in the Kostanay region
according to the reports of veterinary clinics. The collection of ticks from the territory and from dogs was carried out
in 2017–2021.
Results: As a result of the research work, the presence in the city and some areas of the Kostanay region of two species
of ixodid Dermacentor reticulatus and Dermacentor marginatus, was established. Of these, one species was identified
in dogs, which serves as a carrier of canine babesiosis—D. reticulatus. In all 31 DNA samples from the blood of dogs
diagnosed with babesiosis, a fragment of the 18S rRNA gene was amplified. The nucleotide sequence was obtained for
30 samples (96.8%), in one sample a low luminescence intensity of a specific PCR product was observed. Two Babesia
canis haplotypes were distinguished on the basis of two nucleotide substitutions (GA→AG) observed in the sequences
of the 18S rRNA gene.
Conclusions: In conclusion, the results of this study provide insight into the distribution of B. canis haplotypes in dogs
in the Kostanay region, and canine babesiosis is caused solely by the large Babesia species B. canis.