Aspectos epidemiologicos da babesiose canina em área semi-árida do Estado de Minas Gerais

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiological aspects of the canine babesiosis in animals of a city located on a semi-arid area of Minas Gerais state. Blood samples were randomly collected of Porteirinhas canine population - city situated in Itacambira region - based in a expected prevalence of about 20% and a confidence rate of about 90%, completing a total of 505 animals. Blood samples were collected in march2003 and were examined using the RIFI technique. On June, September and December of 2003, blood samples were collected in the same animals, except from those that were not found. At the same time, a form was filled with information about sex, breed and age of the dogs. The information was analyzed with the Windows Access, and was verified statistically with the Excel 8.0 and Epi-Info version 3.3. It was found a prevalence rate of antibodies anti-B. vogeli in about 18.81% dogs. Sex and age were not associated with seroprevalence for B. vogeli. Mongrels were significantly more positive than the dogs with defined breed. The incidence rate of canine babesiosis during the period of April to June (13.79%) was significantly higher than the incidence observed in the period of October to December (7.73%). Analysis of the data found on this study suggest that climatical conditions of the semi-arid areas interfere in the transmission of B. vogeli