EPIDEMIOLOGIC-STUDY OF BABESIASIS IN A MI LITARY KENNEL IN THE CHAMPAGNE AREA

The large number of monthly cases of canine babesiasis seen in the 132 nd Groupe Cynophile de l'Armee de Terre (G.C.A.T.) from 1979 to 1992 h as allowed the study of this disease. The dog population studied was r elatively homogeneous (males, aged between 2 to 10 years old and from a small number of breeds) and was subjected to similar living conditio ns and exposed to a high level of endemic babesiasis (almost-equal-to 20 p.cent). There is an inverse relationship between the sensitivity t o the disease and the age of the dogs, and the higher the exposure ris k to babesiasis the higher the infection level. In addition, it is sus pected that the Malinois sheep dog is more susceptible than the other breeds. The seasonal appearance of canine babesiasis confirms that, in this area, the transmission vector is Dermacentor reticulatus. There is also a strong positive correlation between chemoprophylaxis, by the administration of imidocarb, and the reduction in the number of cases . However, the systematic use of this treatment during 8 years has not allowed the eradication of the disease at the 132nd G.C.A.T., which i s stable at 3.5 p.cent (almost-equal-to 85 cases per year). The causes of this persistence are discussed.