E-ISSN 2218-6050 | ISSN 2226-4485
 

Research Article


Circulating Babesia sp. and Ehrlichia sp. in Egyptian dogs: Molecular detection, risk assessment, and hematobiochemical parameters

Shahenaz M. H. Hassan, Rasha Diabb, Neveen S. Satour, Emad Beshir Ata.


Abstract
Background:
Canine babesiosis and ehrlichiosis are common diseases that significantly affect the health of infected dogs, particularly in tropical areas.

Aim:
This study aimed to identify the circulating Babesia sp. and Ehrlichia sp. in Egypt and to determine the related risk factors, with a particular focus on the hematobiochemical parameters.

Methods:
A total of 157 blood samples were used for nucleic acid extraction for molecular identification, phylogenetic analysis, evaluating the expression level of tumor necrosis factor-α, (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) by qPCR, respectively. Hematobiochemical parameters were also measured. Animal data were obtained during clinical investigation and used for risk assessment. Multiple clinical signs were recorded with varying degrees of intensity.

Results:
The results cleared the identification of Babesia canis subspecies vogeli. and Ehrlichia canis with a rate of 17.83 %, and 12.73 %, respectively, which was higher than the microscopic examination. The obtained Babesia sp. were uploaded to the National Center for Biotechnology Information under the accession numbers (PQ821446.1, PQ821447.1, PQ821448.1). For Ehrlichia sp., were (PQ821442.1, PQ821443.1, PQ821444.1). IFN-γ, and TNF-α genes were significantly expressed in the infected cases compared with the healthy ones. The presence of stray dogs and external ticks were the most significant associated risk factors. Hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, lymphocytosis, and hyperbilirubinemia are the principal hemato-biochemical alterations.

Conclusion:
Babesia canis subspecies vogeli. and Ehrlichia canis are the most common circulating types accompanied with hyperexpression of IFN-γ, and TNF-α genes, hemolytic anemia, and external parasitic infestation. This study not only highlighted the prevalence of canine haematogones, related signs, and risk factors but also recommended the application of effective control strategies, especially for stray dogs.

Key words: Babesiosis; Ehrlichiosis; Prevalence; Risk factors; Hematobiochemical parameters.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Hassan SMH, Diabb R, Satour NS, Ata EB. Circulating Babesia sp. and Ehrlichia sp. in Egyptian dogs: Molecular detection, risk assessment, and hematobiochemical parameters. Open Vet. J.. 2026; 16(6): 3731-3748. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i6.45


Web Style

Hassan SMH, Diabb R, Satour NS, Ata EB. Circulating Babesia sp. and Ehrlichia sp. in Egyptian dogs: Molecular detection, risk assessment, and hematobiochemical parameters. https://www.openveterinaryjournal.com/?mno=316713 [Access: June 16, 2026]. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i6.45


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Hassan SMH, Diabb R, Satour NS, Ata EB. Circulating Babesia sp. and Ehrlichia sp. in Egyptian dogs: Molecular detection, risk assessment, and hematobiochemical parameters. Open Vet. J.. 2026; 16(6): 3731-3748. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i6.45



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Hassan SMH, Diabb R, Satour NS, Ata EB. Circulating Babesia sp. and Ehrlichia sp. in Egyptian dogs: Molecular detection, risk assessment, and hematobiochemical parameters. Open Vet. J.. (2026), [cited June 16, 2026]; 16(6): 3731-3748. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i6.45



Harvard Style

Hassan, S. M. H., Diabb, . R., Satour, . N. S. & Ata, . E. B. (2026) Circulating Babesia sp. and Ehrlichia sp. in Egyptian dogs: Molecular detection, risk assessment, and hematobiochemical parameters. Open Vet. J., 16 (6), 3731-3748. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i6.45



Turabian Style

Hassan, Shahenaz M. H., Rasha Diabb, Neveen S. Satour, and Emad Beshir Ata. 2026. Circulating Babesia sp. and Ehrlichia sp. in Egyptian dogs: Molecular detection, risk assessment, and hematobiochemical parameters. Open Veterinary Journal, 16 (6), 3731-3748. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i6.45



Chicago Style

Hassan, Shahenaz M. H., Rasha Diabb, Neveen S. Satour, and Emad Beshir Ata. "Circulating Babesia sp. and Ehrlichia sp. in Egyptian dogs: Molecular detection, risk assessment, and hematobiochemical parameters." Open Veterinary Journal 16 (2026), 3731-3748. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i6.45



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Hassan, Shahenaz M. H., Rasha Diabb, Neveen S. Satour, and Emad Beshir Ata. "Circulating Babesia sp. and Ehrlichia sp. in Egyptian dogs: Molecular detection, risk assessment, and hematobiochemical parameters." Open Veterinary Journal 16.6 (2026), 3731-3748. Print. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i6.45



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Hassan, S. M. H., Diabb, . R., Satour, . N. S. & Ata, . E. B. (2026) Circulating Babesia sp. and Ehrlichia sp. in Egyptian dogs: Molecular detection, risk assessment, and hematobiochemical parameters. Open Veterinary Journal, 16 (6), 3731-3748. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i6.45