Difference between revisions of "Babesia"

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'''[[Babesiosis - Dogs|Dog Babesiosis]]
 
'''[[Babesiosis - Dogs|Dog Babesiosis]]
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'''[[Babesiosis - Horse|Horse Babesiosis]]
  
  
*Horses
 
**2 species occur
 
**''B. equi'' is the most pathogenic
 
**Not endemic to the UK
 
**Serology using ELISA or IFAT to diagnose
 
  
 
*Sheep and goats
 
*Sheep and goats

Revision as of 22:24, 9 April 2010

Babesia Life Cycle Diagram - Dennis Jacobs & Mark Fox RVC
Babesia Life Cycle - Mariana Ruiz Villarreal
  • Infects a wide range of host species in different areas of the world
  • Babesiosis has severe effects on cattle production in parts of the world
    • Prevents European breeds from being successful in tropical regions where ticks are endemic.
    • Occurs sporadically in the UK and Ireland causing losses of around £8 million per year

Life Cycle

  • Each female tick produces 3000 eggs
  • The tick is the definitive host
  • Babesia multiplies in the red blood cells by budding
    • Forms 2-4 daughter cells (species dependent)
    • Giemsa blood smears can differentiate between species using 'Difquik' stain
  • Babesia species are either small or large depending on the size of the daughter cells
  • Small Babesia
    • E.g. B. divergens
    • E.g. B. gibsoni
    • Peripheral nucleus
    • Obtuse angle
  • Large Babesia
    • E.g. B. major
    • E.g. B. canis-complex
    • Central nucleus
    • Acute angle
  • Daughter cells disrupt the red blood cell and are released
    • Spread and infect other red blood cells
  • Antigen is released which adsorbs onto other red blood cells

Enzootic Instability

  • Low rate of transmission
  • Infrequent exposure
  • Immunity wanes or is completely absent in many individuals
  • Low levels of herd immunity
  • Higher incidence of disease

Enzootic Stability

  • High rate of transmission
  • Many infected ticks
  • Frequent exposure boosts immunity
  • High level of herd immunity
  • Lower incidence of disease


Cattle Babesiosis

Dog Babesiosis

Horse Babesiosis


  • Sheep and goats
    • Several species
    • Little clinical significance