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

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 fe...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Bos, Jan H, Klip, Fokko C, Sprong, Hein, Broens, Els M, Kik, Marja J L
Other Authors: dPB I&I, dI&I I&I-4, dPB CR
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2017
Subjects:
Babesia
Babesia capreoli
Rangifer tarandus tarandus
Reindeer
Roe deer
Coronacrisis-Taverne
Rangifer tarandus
Online Access:https://dspace.library.uu.nl/handle/1874/360854
Description
Summary: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.

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