The epidemiology of canine Babesia infections in Zambia
Date
2010-12-10
Authors
. Mudenda, Ntombi Basimbi
Nalubamba, King S.
Hankanga, Careen
Masuku, Maxwell
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
This study of 1196 dogs over a period of 18 months determined the seasonal infection patterns
of canine babesiosis in Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia. The work also describes
a retrospective study of the prevalence of canine babesiosis in laboratory clinical blood
samples submitted to the University of Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine for routine
haematological examination from the year 1994 to 2009. A cross-sectional study was also
performed to determine the levels of Babesia in a low-income society (during the dry season
and the wet season of the year), where 361 samples were collected from dogs presented for
mass rabies vaccination campaigns. Morphology of the Babesia indicated that all were of
the large-sized Babesia canis infection. Babesia-positive dogs had significantly higher rectal
temperatures than negative ones, and dogs younger than 1 year were more likely to
be Babesia positive followed by those between 2 and 5 years old. Seasonal trends indicate
two peaks, one in the rainy season (November–March) and another in the cold dry season
(June/July). Monthly prevalence rates of Babesia ranged from 0% to 2.4% in natural populations
and from 0% to 28.6% in laboratory specimens. This study shows that Zambia has
lower Babesia prevalence than reported in other African countries.
Description
Journal article
Keywords
Canine babesiosis , Babesia canis infection.