A novel PCR-based point-of-care method enables rapid, sensitive and reliable diagnosis of Babesia gibsoni infection in dogs.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Babesia gibsoni (B. gibsoni) is an intraerythrocytic protozoan parasite of dogs that causes fever and hemolytic illness. A timely diagnosis is essential for the disease management. RESULTS: Here, we report a QubeMDx PCR system which enables a rapid, sensitive and reliable diagnosis of B. gibsoni near the dog patient. Within 30 min, this diagnostic assay was able to detect as low as 0.002% parasitemia of the dog blood. Using clinical samples, this new assay was validated to demonstrate 100% agreement with real-time PCR. CONCLUSIONS: This novel diagnostic method provides a reliable point-of-care test to assist in the identification of B. gibsoni.