EPIDEMIOLOGIC CASE ANALYSIS OF DOGS WITH BABESIA INFECTION IN GERMANY

In the period between January 1990 and June 1994 Babesia infections we re detected in 223 dogs in Germany by means of Giemsa-stained thin blo od smears and/or serologically by an indirect fluorescent antibody tes t. 154 cases could be anlayzed epidemiologically and revealed that dog s from Germany stayed abroad accompaying their owners in endemic regio ns, whereas 24 animals were brought along from foreign countries. Babe sia infections were diagnosed in 29 dogs which had never been abroad b efore. For 119 of these 154 dogs an examination of Giemsa-stained thin blood smears was possible always demonstrating large (2,5 x 6,0 mum) piriform organisms within erythrocytes, usually present in pairs, thus constantly indicating Babesia canis infections. Most of the travellin g companion dogs had stayed in central/Southern France, Hungary, Spain or Italy, the imported dogs came predominantly from Spain, Portugal a nd Italy. Of the 29 infected dogs with previous residence in Germany o nly 26 lived in the area Kehl/Offenburg/Lahr/Emmendingen/Freiburg i. B reisgau and one animal each came from Karlsruhe, Wiesloch (district He idelberg) and Brunswick.