Blood, bull terriers and babesiosis: further evidence for direct transmission of Babesia gibsoni in dogs

Jefferies, R., Ryan, U.M., Jardine, J., Broughton, D.K., Robertson, I.D. and Irwin, P.J. (2007) Blood, bull terriers and babesiosis: further evidence for direct transmission of Babesia gibsoni in dogs. Australian Veterinary Journal, 85 (11). pp. 459-463.

Abstract

This study reports on the epidemiology of Babesia gibsoni in American Pit Bull Terriers living in a region of western Victoria in southern Australia. Both American Pit Bull Terriers (n = 100) and other dog breeds (n = 51) were screened for B gibsoni using immunofluorescent antibody testing (IFAT) and/or polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). A questionnaire was also completed by each dog owner, ascertaining the husbandry and habits of the dogs sampled. Fourteen dogs were positive for B gibsoni using IFAT and/or PCR-RFLP and all were American Pit Bull Terriers. Dogs that were male and/or had been bitten by or were biters of other American Pit Bull Terriers were more likely to be B gibsoni positive, thus suggesting that blood-to-blood transmission contributes to the spread of this disease between dogs.

Publication Type:	Journal Article
Murdoch Affiliation:	School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
Publisher:	Wiley-Blackwell
Copyright:	© 2007 Australian Veterinary Association.
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/7659

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