Clinical outbreak of babesiosis caused by Babesia capreoli in captive reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in the Netherlands

Jan H Bos, Fokko C Klip, Hein Sprong, Els M Broens, Marja J L Kik

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    From a herd of captive reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) consisting of two males and seven females with five calves, three calves were diagnosed on post mortem examination with a Babesia capreoli infection. The diagnosis was indicated by PCR and when the other reindeer were examined two adult females and a one-year-old male were Babesia-positive. Molecular characterization of the 18S rDNA of the parasite showed complete identity with known B. capreoli sequences. Ixodes ricinus has been demonstrated to be a competent vector for B. capreoli from infected roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), the natural host of B. capreoli. The B. capreoli infection in these reindeer may have been transmitted by infected ticks (Ixodes ricinus) originating from roe deer living in the forest and meadows surrounding the enclosure.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)799-801
    Number of pages3
    JournalTicks and Tick-borne Diseases
    Volume8
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 20 Jun 2017

    Keywords

    • Babesia
    • Babesia capreoli
    • Rangifer tarandus tarandus
    • Reindeer
    • Roe deer

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