Occurrence of Babesia vogeli has been reported in Europe and in other countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Indeed, the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus, the main known vector of B. vogeli, occurs in southern France. However, only one case of a B. vogeli infected dog had been reported in France.

To gain further insight into the prevalence of Babesia and Theileria infections in dogs and ticks of the R. sanguineus complex, Dr M. René and colleagues conducted a study in a veterinary practice in southern France.

Between January and September 2010, the researchers from University of Lyon analysed blood samples from twelve dogs and 36 R. sanguineus ticks. Four dogs (33.3%) and eight ticks (22.2%) were found to be infected with B. vogeli.

Thus, the authors say, this study has revealed for the first time a cluster of cases of canine babesiosis caused by B. vogeli in France. The results highlight the need to systematically screen for pathogens potentially responsible for canine babesiosis at the species level using suitable molecular tools.

References

• Veterinary Parasitology, Volume 187, Issues 3-4, 6 July 2012, Pages 399-407