CXCL8 and infection: IL-8 was found to show a different secretion pattern when compared to published data for babesiosis caused by B. rossi. This remarkable difference suggests a specific response for less virulent B. canis, characterised by a clearly increased level of IL-8, this cytokine was found to decrease its levels in B. rossi-infection, and MCP-1 together with a pronounced longitudinal drop in the level of regulatory IL-10.