INDIGENOUS CANINE BABESIOSIS IN THE NETHERLANDS

Abstract

For the 1st time, cases of babesiosis were diagnosed in dogs that had not been abroad. Three cases were seen in the province of Gelderland (Benneckom, Elspeet) and 2 in North-Holland (Koog aan de Zaan) [The Netherlands] A female Dermacentor reticulatus tick, the main vector of the disease in Europe, was found on 1 dog from Koog. Previously, specimens of this tick had only been seen occasionally on dogs returning from abroad. Serological evidence was obtained; it shows at least 4 of the european cases to be Babesia canis: Dermacentor was involved in its transmission.