The repeated associations between anemia and cytokines and chemokines, such as IL-10, IL-8, and CXCL1-like, indicate that increased production of IL-8 and CXCL1-like, and/or insufficient production of IL-10, can have an influence on phagocytic anemia in canine babesiosis. This evidence concerns the gene CXCL8 and anemia (phenotype).