Abstract:
Babesiosis is a worldwide, tick-borne disease of economic importance in livestock
caused by Babesia spp., which are hemoparasitic piroplasms that target the host
erythrocytes. Cattle, dogs, small ruminants, and wild ruminants are the species most
commonly affected, while in cats, horses, and pigs, it is less frequently reported. Although
babesiosis has been observed worldwide, porcine babesiosis remains an uncommon
disease with a very limited number of cases reported. Here, we describe a case in
a 12-year old pot-bellied pig from South Africa that died after a history of anorexia
and reluctance to rise for 2 days. A complete necropsy, blood smear cytology, reverse
line blot (RLB) hybridization and 18S rRNA sequencing were performed. Numerous
Babesia spp. hemoparasites and a moderate regenerative anemia were identified on
blood smear, and a urine dipstick test yielded 4+ heme. Diffuse icterus and splenomegaly
were observed upon gross examination. Histopathology revealed hemoglobin casts
within renal tubules and collecting ducts, pulmonary edema, splenic congestion, and
intrahepatic cholestasis. BLASTN homology of the 18SrRNA sequence revealed a 100%
identity to the published sequence of Babesia sp. Suis isolated frompigs in Italy. This case
of babesiosis in a pig highlights the clinical manifestations and gross and pathological
findings of porcine babesiosis.
