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Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Phenotypic Analysis of Rodent Malaria Parasite Asexual and Sexual Blood Stages and Mosquito Stages
Published on: May 30, 2019
[From piroplasmosis to babesiosis--problems with classification of Babesia protozoa isolated from dogs]
Łukasz Adaszek1, Stanisław Winiarczyk, Marta Górna
1Katedra Epizootiologii i Klinika Chorób Zakaźnych, Wydział Medycyny Weterynaryjnej UP, ul Głeboka 30, 20-612 Lublin. ukaszek0@wp.pl
Abstract:
Babesia and Theileria are the tick-borne parasites belonging to the order Piroplasmida. Both of them cause a severe disease with symptoms of hemolytic anemia. The main etiological factors of canine piroplasmosis are protozoa Babesia. There are two species of this pathogen infective for dogs: Babesia canis and Babesia gibsoni. Based on the results of molecular biology techniques it is possible to distinguish them as well as many subspecies or strains. It is known since quite some time that there are substantial differences in vector specificity, cross-immunity and pathogenicity between isolates of this species. Also the results of molecular analysis of these protozoa indicate that their genetic structure is diversified. On the basis of analysis of Babesia DNA sequences, the new variants of protozoa in dogs were detected. It is possible that, these new variants of Babesia are characterized by high virulence for dogs and resistance to drugs used in babesiosis therapy.
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