Babesia banethi sp. nov. in red foxes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Babesia spp. are widespread tick-borne intraerythrocytic protozoa, infecting a broad range of vertebrate hosts. Red foxes are reservoirs of Babesia vulpes, belonging to the Babesia microti-like group (clade I), and play an important role in the epidemiology of canine and wildlife babesiosis. Besides B. vulpes, another species of this genus was molecularly reported in red foxes from Israel and Iraq and provisionally named "Babesia sp. MML-2014"; however, no morphological description of this small Babesia species was provided, preventing a proper species naming.

Methods

Infection with piroplasmid species was detected and described by microscopy of stained blood smears in one red fox from Southern Italy. Molecular characterization of the Babesia sp. and differentiati

SUBMITTER: Otranto D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12765302 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature