Detecção molecular de Babesia canis vogeli em cães da cidade de São Luís – MA, Brasil

Babesiosis is an emerging, worldwide disease caused by protozoa of the genus Babesia, which infects domestic animals and wildlife, as well as humans. The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of Babesia canis vogeli in dogs in the city of São Luís - MA, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 65 animals for direct examination, through blood smear and molecular diagnosis, through PCRun. Among the 65 animals analyzed by direct diagnosis, none were positive for Babesia spp. while PCRun showed that 5 (7.69%) were infected by B. canis vogeli, demonstrating the presence of this species in dogs from an urban environment in the city of São Luís. It was concluded that PCR is a more sensitive and specific for this diagnosis, and can be used to define more precisely the infection of dogs by B. canis vogeli. This study confirmed the presence of B. C. vogeli in dogs in the city of.