Description and molecular characterisation of Babesia ailuropodae n. sp., a new piroplasmid species infecting giant pandas.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Babesia spp. are protozoan parasites that infect the red blood cells of domesticated animals, wildlife and humans. A few cases of giant pandas (a flagship species in terms of wildlife conservation) infected with a putative novel Babesia sp. have been reported. However, comprehensive research on the morphological and molecular taxonomic classification of this novel Babesia sp. is still lacking. This study was designed to close this gap and formally describe this new Babesia sp. infecting giant pandas.

Methods

Detailed morphological, molecular and phylogenetic analyses were conducted to characterise this Babesia sp. and to assess its systematic relationships with other Babesia spp. Blood samples from giant pandas infected with Babesia were subjected to microscopic e

SUBMITTER: Xiong L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11265107 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature