• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.359-365
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• 1998

This study was conducted to isolate the protozoan parasite Babesia gibsoni by intraerythrocytic culture method of micoraerophilous stationary phase(MASP) and evaluate the possibility of application for the detection of B gibsoni in canine babesiosis. Also, indirect fluorescent antibody test(IFAT) and thick blood smear(giemsa stain), direct light microscopy (DLM), as control diagnostic tests, were conducted to compare diagnostic effects between MASP, IFAT and DLM. The results obtained from this study were summarized as follows. The protozoan parasite B gibsoni multiplied in 24-well polystyrene plate containing 1.2ml of canine red blood cell suspension in RPMI 1640 medium(pH 7.0) which is contained 20~40% normal canine serum(NCS) under the MASP condition of 5% $CO_2$ and 95% air at $37^{\circ}C$ incubator. Under the above MASP culturing system the percentage of parasitized erythrocytes(PPE) after incubation for 9 days reached the peak. The levels of PPE in MASP culture were shown more higher by exchanging the medium at 24 hour intervals. The parasite were purely isolated from MASP culture of canine red blood cells collected from dogs(pit bullterrier) infected with B gibsoni naturally. Among the total of 83 heads of pit bullterrier blood samples the positive rate was 32 heads(38.5%) in DLM, 45 heads(54.2%) in IFAT and 42 heads(50.6) in MASP culture. In negative cases of IFAT and DLM the isolation rates of B gibsoni by MASP culture were 16 heads(42.1%) of 38 heads and 16 heads(28.6%)% of 56 heads, respectively. From this study it was suggested that MASP culture method by RPMI 1640 medium was a reliable and useful diagnostic test for the diagnosis of B gibsoni infections in canine babesiosis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.16-20
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• 2016

This study was performed to estimate the clinical use of combination therapy with atovaquone/proguanil and azithromycin as a effective treatment in dogs infected with Babesia gibsoni. Eight mixed-breed dogs that were infected naturally with B. gibsoni were used in this study. Four dogs (No. 1-4) as experimental group received atovaquone/proguanil and azithromycin therapy. As for the other four dogs as the control group (No. 5-8) were administered diminazene aceturate and tetracycline/clindamycin. All the dogs in this study showed mild to severe anemia and thrombocytopenia. After initiating the treatment B. gibsoni in blood smears disappeared. PCR analysis of the experimental group showed negative results during the observation period, but more than one dog from the control groups showed continuous positive results. Atovaquone/proguanil and azithromycin combination therapy can significantly lower the B. gibsoni parasitemia levels and the results suggested that this combination therapy should be a new protocol for an effective treatment in dogs infected with B. gibsoni.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.345-353
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• 2014

Babesia gibsoni is an intraerythrocytic apicomplexan parasite that causes piroplasmosis in dogs. B. gibsoni infection is characterized clinically by fever, regenerative anemia, splenomegaly, and sometimes death. Since no vaccine is available, rapid and accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment of infected animals are required to control this disease. Over the past decade, several candidate molecules have been identified using biomolecular techniques in the authors' laboratory for the development of a serodiagnostic method, vaccine, and drug for B. gibsoni. This review article describes newly identified candidate molecules and their applications for diagnosis, vaccine production, and drug development of B. gibsoni.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.505-514
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• 1987

Babesia gibsoni infection was diagnosed and treated in three hunting dogs which were hospitalized to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University between April 4 and August 29, 1987. All three dogs revealed severe anemia, hemoglobinuria, splenomegaly and markedly decreased PCV, RBC count and hemoglobin. The anemia was regenerative, as characterized by increased numbers of nucleated erythrocytes, polychromasia, anisocytosis, reticulocytosis. B. gibsoni was identified by examination of blood smear stained with Giemsa stain. The forms of B. gibsoni identified in this report were pleomorphic such as singnet ring, oval, comma, dot and elongated forms. The maximal percentages of erythrocytes infected with one or more B. gibsoni organisms were 39%, 20% and 40%, respectively. The Tick, Haemophysalis longicornis was assumed to be the vector of babesiosis in these cases. Specific treatment consisted of diminazene aceturate and supportive treatment consisted of whole blood transfusion, lactated Ringer's solution, vitamin B complex and broad spectrum antibiotics. All three dogs had convalesced successfully after treatment.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.965-973
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• 1999

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of vitamin E on the prevention and treatment of Babesia gibsoni. Fifteen mongrel dogs, uninfected with Babesia spp, were assigned to three groups according to vitamin E(${\alpha}-tocopherol$) concentrations in the RBC. The concentrations in each of the three groups were, respectively : ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ in RBC less than $30{\mu}g/{\mu}l$(Group I), $30{\mu}g/{\mu}l{\sim}60{\mu}g/{\mu}l$(Group II), more than $60{\mu}g/{\mu}l$(Group III). Artificial infection was accomplished by injecting $2{\times}10^7{\sim}2{\times}10^8$ erythrocyte of Babesia gibsoni-infected dog into the cephalic vein. We investigated the clinical signs, vitamin E concentrations in RBC and serum, Vitamin A concentrations in serum, hematological values, white blood cell(WBC) viability and RBC membrane osmotic fragility after infection of Babesia gibsoni for a period of 20 days at 5 day intervals. The results obtained are summarized as follows : 1. After infection by Babesia gibsoni, clinical examination revealed depression, anorexia, pale mucous membranes, dark brown urine and diarrhea in proportion as time went on. After 10 days of infection, one dog each of Groups I, II and III revealed depression and anorexia. Two dogs in Group I and one dog each of Groups II and III showed dark brown urine after 15 days. Diarrhea was observed in one dog in each of the 3 groups after 20 days of infection. 2. After 5 days of infection, two dogs in each of Groups I, II and III showed Babesia gibsoni in RBC of blood smear stained with Giemsa. At the 15th day after infection with Babesia gibsoni, they were observed in all experimental animals. After both 5 days and 10 days of infection, the rate of Babesia gibsoni parasitized RBC(permillage, ‰) was 1‰, and increased as time went on. 3. After 5 days of infection by Babesia gibsoni, Group I, which had the lowest vitamin E concentration, showed significantly decreased RBC and PCV levels(p < 0.01). Group II and group III also showed significantly decreased RBC and PCV levels after 15 days of infection(p < 0.05). Particularly after 10 days of infection, Group I showed lower values in RBC and PCV levels compared to Groups II and III. WBC, RBC, fibrinogen and total protein levels between the groups did not differ during experimental periods. 4. According to the WBC differential counts, the ratios of neutrophil to lymphocyte showed a tendency to be slightly higher in Group III (more than $60{\mu}g/{\mu}l$) than in Groups I and II. 5. WBC viability did not differ between the groups. 6. RBC membrane osmotic fragility did not differ between the groups.

• Journal of the korean veterinary medical association
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.161-168
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• 1984

The clinical observation of the Babesia gibsoni which was broken out in the Shep-herd dogs by Haemaphysalis longiconis was surveyed around the mountain area of Hap Gok Ri in Gan Won Do through year. The results observed were as follows; 1. The ticks appea

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.101-108
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• 1993

To examine the effects of vaccination against Babesia gibsoni(B gibsoni) infection in dogs, 15 normal mixed-breed dogs(5 months to 1 year old) were divided into 3 groups with 5 dogs in each group. One of them was selected as control group(group A) and other were selected as experimental groups(group B and C). The group B was vaccinated with antigen which were mixed 0.2% of formalin treated B gibsoni and sonicated one. The group C was inoculated Theileria sergenti as a non-specific antigen. The results obtained in this experiment were summarized as follows; 1. After first vaccination, antibody titers of group B and C were increased 5 times(1:200) than those of control group(1 : 40). The antibody titers of group C were increased more than that of group B after second vaccination. When challenged with the living protozoa(Babesia gibsoni), the antibody titers of C group were elevated higher than that of B group and maintained steadly. Those were not exceeded over 1 : 5,000 for 4 weeks in all 3 groups. 2. After challenge, the peak time of the parasitemia appeared nearly on the 15th day(12~18 days) in all groups. During this period, the rate of parasitized erythrocytes in control group was $55.0{\pm}5.4$‰. But that of group B and C were $41.3{\pm}38.8$‰ and $15.2{\pm}16.3$‰, respectively. 3. After challenge with B gibsoni, all of the values of PCV, Hb, RBC and total leukocytes counts were decreased in both of the experimental and the control. 4. In all groups, there were increased lymphocytes and monocytes after challenge with the protozoa.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.219-221
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• 1998

This report was conducted to determine the changes of blood and serum chemical values on dogs infected with Babesia gibsoni. Blood and serum were obtained and analyzed with a blood chemical analyzer and calculated by Chauvent's statistical analysis. The mean values and SD were as follows, $AST 33{\pm} 23 IU/L, ALT 22{\pm}15 IU/L, BUN 18$\pm $8 mg/dl, creatinine 1.6{\pm}0.8 mg/dl, CPK 564{\pm}214 IU/L, LDH 208{\pm} 78 IU/L, ALP 52{\pm} 8 IU/L, glucose 89{\pm}38 mg/dl, RBC 3.04{\pm}0.77{\times}10^{6}/{\mu}l, hemoglobin 6.1{\pm} 1.3 g/dl, PCV 18.0{\pm }4.3%, $respectively.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.185-188
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• 2017

This study assessed the seroprevalence of Babesia gibsoni in companion dogs in Korea by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay using recombinant BgTRAP antigen. Dogs were randomly selected from those admitted for various reasons to local private veterinary hospitals and the Animal Medical Center of Chonbuk National University. With the owners' permission, extra blood was drawn from each dog for serological assays. Of the 188 selected dogs, seven (3.72%) were positive for B. gibsoni, including six of 167 (3.59%) indoor and one of 12 (8.33%) outdoor dogs. Of the seven dogs positive for B. gibsoni, four were aged > 10 years, two were < 1 year, and one was between 1 and 10 years; and two were Yorkshires and one each was Shih-tzu, Maltese, Pekinese, beagle and mixed. Concurrent diseases or chief complaints were anemia in two dogs, both of which had a history of confirmed babesiosis by polymerase chain reaction, and non-anemic diseases in five. Geographically, four dogs were from Jeonbuk/Jeonju, and one each from Seoul, Gyounggi-do, and Jeonnam/Gwangju. To our knowledge, this is the first report of companion dogs in Korea being seropositive for B. gibsoni. Serologic screening of subclinical or carrier dogs can detect this potentially dangerous disease and assess its epidemiology.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.587-599
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• 2000

This study was conducted to observe the severity of the disease and pathogenecity of Babesia gibsoni parasite on the splenectomized dogs(SPD) and nonsplenectomized(intact) dogs (NSPD) experimentally infected with B gibsoni. The average prepatent period was 4 days in the SPD and 8 days in the NSPD, respectively. Peak parasitaemia(PE) ranged from 26% to 34% of erythrocytes infected in the SPD and from 4% to 5% in the NSPD. Latent parasitaemia was still detectable 40 days as low as under 1.0% of erythrocytes infected after the initial parasitaemia in the SPD. Blood packed cell volume(PCV) decreased to as little as 6.4% to 6.9% in the SPD. The clinical signs were mild fever and anemia in the NSPD, remissions and exacervations of temperature, intermittent or spike-like increases of temperature, progressive polychromatophilic macrocytic anemia with anisocytosis, icterus, marked loss of appetite, rarely haemoglobinuria, and deep brown-yellowish urine in the SPD. Gross pathologic changes mainly involved slightly enlargement of liver and spleen in the NSPD and marked enlargement of liver in the SPD. Anatomic changes associated with the disease included diffuse periportal and centrilobular hephatitis, and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Hyaline droplets, resulting protein metabolic alterations, were found in the convoluted ephithelium of the kidney. The density of lymphocytes within the liver sinusoids was markedly increased. Aggregates of large monocytes and macrophages were demonstrated in the centrilobular veins of the liver. The density of these cells in the centrilobular veins were greatest in the SPD. The forms of B gibsoni parasite found in the acute stage of SPD were large signet ring form, small signet ring form, pyriform, elongated form, comma form, head-phone form, oval form, peared form, racket-like form, amoeboid form, triangle form, quartered form, dot form, band form and multiple, and rosette form, et al. The severity of the disease and pathogenecity of B gibsoni parasite were mild in the NSPD but fatal in the SPD.