Subspecies of Babesia canis Isolated from Dogs in Okinawa Island, Japan

Abstract

Babesia canis is divided into three subspecies (B. canis rossi, B. canis canis and B. canis vogeli) based on differences in clinical symptoms induced, species of transmitting ticks, geographical distribution and/or serological characteristics. To determine the subspecies of B. canis living in Okinawa Island, the severity of clinical symptoms in both splenectomized and intact dogs, species of transmitting ticks and the serological characteristics were examined. The clinical symptoms were mild in both splenectomized and intact dogs. The parasite was transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus. When the serum from the inoculated dog was subjected reaction to the subspecies of B. canis by the indirect fluorescent antibody test, the serum was found positive only to B. canis vogeli. From these findings, subspecies of B. canis distributed in Okinawa belongs to the subspecies B. canis vogeli.