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|linkpage =Parasites
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|linktext =PARASITES
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|sublink1=Protozoa
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|subtext1=PROTOZOA
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==''Babesia''==
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'''[[Babesia|''Babesia'']]
[[Image:Babesia Life Cycle.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Babesia'' Life Cycle Diagram - Dennis Jacobs & Mark Fox RVC]]
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[[Image:Alternative Babesia life cycle diagram.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Babesia'' Life Cycle - Mariana Ruiz Villarreal]]
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*Infects a wide range of host species in different areas of the world
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*Babesiosis has severe effects on cattle production in parts of the world
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**Prevents European breeds from being successful in tropical regions where [[Ticks|ticks]] are endemic.
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**Occurs sporadically in the UK and Ireland causing losses of around £8 million per year
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'''Life Cycle'''
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*Both [[Ticks#Disease Transmission|trans-stadial]] and [[Ticks#Disease Transmission|trans-ovarian]] transmission occurs
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*Each female [[Ticks|tick]] produces 3000 eggs
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*The [[Ticks|tick]] is the definitive host
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*''Babesia'' multiplies in the red blood cells by '''budding'''
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**Forms 2-4 daughter cells (species dependent)
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**Giemsa blood smears can differentiate between species using 'Difquik' stain
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*''Babesia'' species are either small or large depending on the size of the daughter cells
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*Small ''Babesia''
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**E.g. ''B. divergens''
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**E.g. ''B. gibsoni''
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**Peripheral nucleus
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**Obtuse angle
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*Large ''Babesia''
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**E.g. ''B. major''
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**E.g. ''B. canis-complex''
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**Central nucleus
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**Acute angle
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*Daughter cells disrupt the red blood cell and are released
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**Spread and infect other red blood cells
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*Antigen is released which adsorbs onto other red blood cells
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**Causes haemolysis and [[Pigmentation and Calcification - Pathology#Haemoglobin|haemoglobin pigmentation]]
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**Causes haemolytic anaemia, haemoglobinuria and fever
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*Cattle
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**Sudden onset
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**Often fatal if untreated
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**Causes 'pipestem' faeces
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**Clumping of red blood cells in brain capillaries can occur causing neurological signs
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'''Epidemiology'''
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*Determined by:
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**Number of infected [[Ticks|ticks]] seeking a blood meal ('''tick pressure''')
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**Calves under 9 months are refractory to disease
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***Can develop immunity if exposed without showing clinical signs
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**'Premunity' (a good protective immunity) develops quickly in infected cattle causing a 'carrier state'
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**Immunity can wane in the absence of re-infection
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**Uninfected cattle remain susceptible
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*Predisposing factors:
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**Susceptible animals introduced into an infected area
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**Infected [[Ticks|ticks]] introduced into a clean area
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**Infected cattle introduced into an area with clean [[Ticks|ticks]]
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**Temporary reduction in the [[Ticks|tick]] population decreasing the transmission rate (causing enzootic instability)
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**Infected are transported or stressed in other ways, e.g. parturition
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*In the UK
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**Sporadic disease
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**Enzootic instability
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**Occurs mostly during the spring and autumn during periods of greatest [[Ticks|tick]] activity
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**Occurs mostly in stressed cattle under 2 years old on rough grazing
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**''B. divergens'' the most common species
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**[[Hard Ticks - UK#Ixodes spp.|''Ixodes ricinus'']] is the vector
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**[[Ticks#Disease Transmission|Trans-ovarial]] transmission to the next generation occurs
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**''B. major'' occurs in South East England but is not pathogenic
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***Vector is [[Hard Ticks - UK#Important Hard Ticks|''Haemaphysalis'']]
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*Overseas
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**''B. bovis'' causes considerable losses in cattle in many tropical and sub-tropical areas
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***In Australia an attenuated vaccine is used
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***Vector is [[Hard Ticks - Overseas|''Boophilus'']]
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**''B. bigemina'' causes problems in Africa and South America
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***Vector is [[Hard Ticks - Overseas|''Boophilus'']]
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*Dogs
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**Complex epidemiology
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**Recognised species are extending their endemic ranges due to the discovery of the small ''Babesia'' species, pet passport scheme and increased overseas travel
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**Large species comprises 3 subspecies
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***''B. canis canis'' is the most important
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****[[Hard Ticks - Overseas|''Dermacentor'']] vector
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****Largely confined to southern Europe but is spreading
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***''B. canis'' uses [[Hard Ticks - Overseas|''Rhipicephalus'']] as a vector and is spreading northwards through Europe
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***''B. gibsoni'' is now established in the USA and South-East Asia
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**British dogs have no immunity as no species are endemic to the UK so are highly susceptible if taken abroad
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**Prevention of [[Ticks|tick]] bites by use of an 'Amitraz' collar is currently the best method of protection
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*Horses
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**2 species occur
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**''B. equi'' is the most pathogenic
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**Not endemic to the UK
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**Serology using ELISA or IFAT to diagnose
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*Sheep and goats
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**Several species
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**Little clinical significance
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===Enzootic Instability===
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*Low rate of transmission
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*Few infected [[Ticks|ticks]]
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*Infrequent exposure
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*Immunity wanes or is completely absent in many individuals
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*Low levels of herd immunity
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*'''Higher''' incidence of disease
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===Enzootic Stability===
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*High rate of transmission
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*Many infected ticks
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*Frequent exposure boosts immunity
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*High level of herd immunity
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*'''Lower''' incidence of disease
      
==''Cytauxzoon felis''==
 
==''Cytauxzoon felis''==
Author, Donkey, Bureaucrats, Administrators
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