The southernmost foci of Dermacentor reticulatus in Italy and associated Babesia canis infection in dogs.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Two clustered clinical cases of canine babesiosis were diagnosed by veterinary practitioners in two areas of northeastern Italy close to natural parks. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of babesial infection in dogs, the etiological agents that cause canine babesiosis and the potential tick vector for the involved Babesia spp.

Methods

The study area was represented by two parks in northeastern Italy: Groane Regional Park (Site A) and the Ticino Valley Lombard Park (Site B). From March to May 2015 ticks were collected from the vegetation in three transects in each site. In the same period, blood samples were collected from 80 dogs randomly chosen from veterinary clinics and kennel located in the two areas. Morphological identification of the ticks wa

SUBMITTER: Olivieri E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5477853 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature