Molecular evidence of natural infection with Babesia canis canis in Croatia.

The aim of the present study was to detect and characterise the species and subspecies of Babesia spp. that cause canine babesiosis in Croatia. Twenty-eight dogs with typical signs of babesiosis (lethargy, anorexia, fever, dark urine and thrombocytopenia) were included in this study. Their blood smears showed the presence of Babesia canis . The results showed the detection of one subspecies, namely Babesia canis canis using PCR, and subsequent sequence analysis demonstrated portions of the nss rRNA gene in 27 out of 28 samples. Sequence analysis of the isolates showed 100% identity in 11 samples, 99.7% identity (one nucleotide difference) in 11 samples and 99.4% identity (two nucleotides difference) in 5 samples with B. canis canis . The results of this study confirm the presence of B. canis canis in infected dogs in Croatia and demonstrate a slightly new genetic variant of Babesia subspecies.

Evidence of an acute phase response in dogs naturally infected with Babesia canis.

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell count (WBC), haematocrit (HCT) and platelet number (PLT) were quantified and compared with the acute phase proteins (APPs) in dogs naturally infected with Babesia canis and healthy dogs. Both groups were treated with imidocarb dipropionate on the day of admission and both groups were monitored for all parameters on the admission day and on the first, second, third, fourth and seventh days in order to determine the presence of an acute phase reaction, to assess the diagnostic value of these markers in uncomplicated canine babesiosis and to evaluate the use of APPs in treatment monitoring. It was demonstrated that an acute phase response occurs in dogs naturally infected with Babesia canis, with significant increases in the concentration of major acute phase proteins. The serum concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA) and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) decreased daily after treatment and approached reference range values by the eighth day. PLT and haematocrit (HCT) increased daily after treatment and approached reference range values by the fourth day. WBC and haptoglobin increased after treatment and then decreased from the third and fourth days, respectively, to the eighth day. The diagnostic sensitivity of CRP, SAA and PLT was significantly higher compared to haptoglobin, ESR, HCT and the WBC count. CRP and SAA were of clinical use in monitoring the response to antibabesial treatment.

Effects of sex, age, body mass, and capturing method on hematologic values of brown bears in Croatia.

Effects of various intrinsic and extrinsic factors on 17 hematologic values from 56 brown bears (Ursus arctos) sampled in Croatia from 1981 to 2005 were evaluated. Differences between female and male bears were detected for number of erythrocytes, sedimentation rate after 30 min, and number of leukocytes and segmented neutrophils. Significant differences between free-living vs. captive and snared vs. not snared bears were detected for the same three parameters: leukocytes, segmented neutrophils, and eosinophils. It was concluded that the physical exertion of bears snared by leg, rather than their free-living status, influenced differences of results among these groups. The obtained mean values are useful reference values for the species.