Fatal babesiosis in a free-ranging iberian wolf co-infected with <i>Hepatozoon canis</i> and <i>Leishmania infantum</i>: Epidemiological implications for the cantabrian wolf population.

ABSTRACT: Health surveillance of large carnivores, such as the Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus), allows the early detection of emerging and established pathogens in natural environments, due to their position in the top of the food chain. In 2022, the carcass of a wild wolf was found in Cantabria, Northwest Spain. A complete post-mortem investigation, including full necropsy, histopathological and molecular analysis concluded that the cause of death was a systemic hemolytic disease caused by Babesia canis. Furthermore, the wolf was co-infected with Hepatozoon canis and Leishmania infantum. Consequently, a molecular investigation of Babesia spp., Hepatozoon spp., Leishmania spp., Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., and Rickettsia sp

SUBMITTER: Fayos M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12152594 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature