Rangeliose canina: revisão de literatura

Abstract

Canine rangeliosis is known as blood plague, malignant jaundice or Nambiuvú, affects domestic dogs and wild canids. It is caused by the protozoan Rangelia vitalii, a protozoan belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa, order Piroplasmorida and family Babesiidae. Transmission occurs through the bit of ticks of the species Amblyomma aureolatum, with the highest incidence in places that favor the presence of these arthropods. It is a disease characterized by severe hemolytic and hemorrhagic disorders, described in South America. It was reported in Brazil, at the beginning of the 20th century, but some characteristics are still unclear. There are more reports in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, and recently, it has been reported in other countries such as Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. The animals can present anemia, jaundice, fever, hemorrhages in the gastrointestinal tract and bleeding in the ears, nostrils and mouth. For the diagnosis, histological and molecular techniques are used, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genetic sequencing, because only by morphology it is not possible to distinguish it from other piroplasmasids, such as Babesia vogeli, for example. The treatment is based on the administration of protozoocidal drugs, that includes doxycycline and imidocarb dipropionate. The objective of this work was to address the biological aspects and epidemiological characteristics of the protozoan R. vitalii and the canine rangeliosis disease through a literature review.