Phylogenetic Relationship of Babesia Species Infecting Dogs from Select Regions of Kenya

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Abstract There are over 100 Babesia species known to infect vertebrates with some of them being zoonotic. Local dog keeping practices enable extensive and intimate interactions between dogs, livestock, wildlife, and their human owners, thus allowing the possibility of dogs to act as hosts for zoonotic parasites.Canine babesiosis, known to occur in Kenya causes a severe and debilitating illness in dogs which compromises their welfare and capacity to carry out their role in society. Published data on Babesia species circulating among dogs in Kenya is limited. Improved control measures such as vaccines are required against the disease.The study design was descriptive and sampling opportunistic. A total of 143 whole blood samples were collected from domestic dogs in Nakuru, Nairobi and Mombasa counties. Total genomic DNA was extracted from each of the samples and screened for Babesia parasites using diagnostic PCR. Babesia species were identified through bioinformatic analysis of Sanger sequences.A total of 13 samples were positive for Babesia species (95% C.I is 0.0437 to 0.1381). Two were positive for Babesia canis vogeli, eleven were positive for Babesia canis rossi.77% of the Babesia positive samples were from Nairobi county.The study confirmed that molecular methods can be utilized to detect the presence of Babesia species circulating among dogs in Kenya.85% of the Babesia positive samples were Babesia canis rossi which causes the most severe form of canine babesiosis. Results of the bioinformatic analysis indicate 98.29% to 99.52% sequence identity to Babesia canis rossi obtained from black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas).Babesia canis vogeli although primarily known as a domestic dog parasite has been shown capable of infecting both domestic and wild felines. This demonstrates the capacity of dogs to serve as hosts for pathogens from wildlife and vice versa.

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