Abstract:
Babesiosis is a disease of significant medically and veterinary importance with worldwide distribution.
It is caused by intra-erythrocyte protozoal parasites, with Babesia rossi causing the most severe
clinical signs of all the large Babesia parasites infecting dogs. The disease can be clinically classified
into uncomplicated and complicated forms with a wide range of clinical presentations from a
mild, subclinical illness to complicated forms and death. The aim of this study was to assess serum
proteomic profiles from dogs with babesiosis and healthy dogs using a label-based proteomics
approach. Altogether 32 dogs naturally infected with B. rossi (subdivided into 18 uncomplicated cases
and 14 complicated cases of babesiosis) and 20 healthy dogs were included. There were 78 proteins
with significantly different abundances between the three groups of dogs. Elucidation of proteins and
pathways involved in canine babesiosis caused by B. rossi have revealed key differences associated
with haemostasis, innate immune system, lipid metabolism and inflammation. Shotgun proteomic
profiling allowed identification of potential serum biomarkers for differentiation of disease severity
in canine babesiosis caused by B. rossi. These findings may be applicable to the study of host-parasite
interactions and the development of novel therapeutic targets.
