Babesia canis | |
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Babesia canis piroplasm stage infecting red blood cells of a dog. Giemsa stained. | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Clade: | Diaphoretickes |
Clade: | SAR |
Clade: | Alveolata |
Phylum: | Apicomplexa |
Class: | Aconoidasida |
Order: | Piroplasmida |
Family: | Babesiidae |
Genus: | Babesia |
Species: | B. canis
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Binomial name | |
Babesia canis (Piana & Galli-Valerio, 1895)
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Synonyms | |
Piroplasma canis |
Babesia canis is a parasite that infects red blood cells and can lead to anemia.[1] This is a species that falls under the overarching genus Babesia. It is transmitted by the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) and is one of the most common piroplasm infections.[2] The brown dog tick is adapted to warmer climates and is found in both Europe and the United States, especially in shelters and greyhound kennels.[2][3] In Europe, it is also transmitted by Dermacentor ticks with an increase in infections reported due to people traveling with their pets.[4]