Babesia vogeli in dogs in Chile

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Parasitology
• Molecular Diagnostics
• Canine Health

Background:

• Canine piroplasmids, such as Babesia, are tick-borne protozoan parasites with global distribution.
• Chilean canine populations have not been previously surveyed for Babesia species, leaving a gap in understanding parasite prevalence and distribution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence and genetic characteristics of Babesia species in free-ranging dogs in Chile.
• To establish the first report of canine piroplasmids in the region.

Main Methods:

• Blood samples were collected from 63 free-ranging rural dogs in Coquimbo, Chile, over two years.
• Conventional PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene was used for Babesia species detection.
• Sequencing of positive samples was performed for precise identification and genetic comparison.

Main Results:

• Babesia vogeli was identified in 6.3% of the surveyed dogs, with positive cases detected in both surveillance years.
• Sequences from Chilean dogs exhibited 100% nucleotide identity among themselves and 99.8% identity with previously published Babesia vogeli sequences.
• Thrombocytopenia was the only significant hematological abnormality observed in infected dogs.

Conclusions:

• This study provides the first evidence of Babesia vogeli infection in dogs in Chile.
• The findings highlight the circulation of this canine piroplasmid in the Chilean canine population.
• Further research is warranted to assess the broader epidemiological impact and clinical significance of Babesia vogeli in Chile.