First case of babesiosis caused by Babesia canis canis in a dog from Norway

An Irish setter from the Oslo area was presented to the clinic with signs of babesiosis, a few days after a tick bite. Blood analysis confirmed babesiosis. Microscopic examination of thin blood film revealed large, basophilic, bodies inside erythrocytes, indicative of a large Babesia sp. Molecular analysis using PCR, indicated the presence of a Babesia spp. in the blood. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the PCR fragment revealed a sequence which was 100% identical to Babesia canis canis 18S. As this dog had never been abroad, it can be concluded that this is the first report of an autochthonous infection of B. canis canis in Norway.