Molecular identification of spp. in naturally infected dogs of Kerala, South India.

Canine babesiosis is a tick borne haemoprotozoan disease caused by large and small intraerythrocytic apicomplexan piroplasms of the genus spp. The clinical manifestations of the disease vary from inapparent subclinical form to hyperacute shock related haemolytic crisis. Microscopic examination of blood smears from suspected dogs revealed and in 3.

Occurrence of human sparganosis in Kerala.

Human sparganosis is a rare zoonotic disease caused by the larval stages of Spirometra sp. A seven cm worm recovered from a painful swelling in the right inguinal region of a 9 year old boy from Kunnamkulam in Thrissur District, Kerala was identified as sparganum based on morphology. This is the first case report of the disease from Kerala state.

Dirofilariosis in dogs and humans in Kerala.

There has been an increased occurrence of filarial worms in the subcutaneous tissues and subconjunctival space of human beings belonging to different areas of the state of Kerala. The present work was carried out to identify the worms recovered from human cases, to study the presence of microfilariae in dogs and to discuss the possible mode of infection in human beings. Twelve worm specimens from human patients received in the Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy from 2002 to 2004 were identified as Dirofilaria repens based on morphology.