Identification and phylogenetic analysis of Babesia parasites in domestic dogs in Nigeria

The present study examined the presence of Babesia parasites in 104 domestic dogs in Nigeria. Sequentially, Babesia parasites infecting domestic dogs underwent genetic and phylogenetic analyses. The results of nested PCR based on the Piroplasmida 18S rRNA gene illustrated that 13.5% (14/104) of the samples were positive. The obtained positive samples determined the nucleotide sequences of the 18S rRNA genes. In the genetic and phylogenetic analyses, four of five nucleotide sequences were similar to Babesia canis rossi, and one sample exhibited a close similarity to a Babesia sp. isolated from a raccoon in Hokkaido, Japan. The present study revealed the widespread presence of B. canis rossi among domestic dogs in Nigeria.