Molecular detection of Babesia spp. in asymptomatic shelter dogs from Constanta County-Romania

Abstract

Babesiosis, a tick-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia, poses a significant health threat to dogs worldwide. In Romania, the incidence of this disease in shelter dogs has garnered increasing attention over recent years. This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of Babesia spp. in shelter dogs from Constanta, a South-Eastern county from Romania. In order to assess, in 2022, blood samples were collected from 244 asymptomatic stray dogs from a private shelter in Cernavodă, using EDTA tubes. The samples were tested using the Real-Time PCR technique (qPCR) to identify the genome of Babesia spp., which is a quantitative technique with high specificity and sensitivity. The results revealed that only 6/244 samples were positive (2.46%), in which the Babesia spp. genome was identified by qPCR and melting curve analysis. The CT value obtained in 5 out of 6 samples, showed an average parasite load of the detected pathogen, and in one out of 6 samples, showed a high parasite load of the pathogen. These results show the pressing need for improved tick control measures, increased public awareness and improved veterinary care to mitigate the impact of babesiosis on shelter dogs.