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Postmortem examinations of 49 red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) found dead on the Isle of Wight revealed the presence of a Hepatozoon species in 18 of them (37 per cent). The prevalence of infection was highest in subadult animals and no juveniles were infected. The prevalence was higher in the squirrels dying from natural causes (nine of 12) than in squirrels killed in road accidents (seven of 27). The weight of infection varied, and there were heavy infections in squirrels dying from toxoplasmosis and bacterial pneumonia. A PCR-based assay was used to identify the presence of Hepatozoon species DNA in the lungs, and immunoperoxidase staining was used to confirm the identity of schizonts observed in histological sections. The nucleotide base sequence of the PCR products indicated that the organism was a novel species closely related to, but distinct from, Hepatozoon erhardovae of bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus).

Postmortem examinations of four pine martens which had died as a result of road accidents in Scotland revealed focal, granulomatous lesions in the heart and skeletal muscles of three of them. An immunoperoxidase staining technique showed that the lesions were due to infection with Hepatozoon species. A PCR-based assay was used to confirm the presence of Hepatozoon DNA in the infected tissues. The nucleotide base sequence of the PCR products suggested that the infecting organism was probably a new species of Hepatozoon, most closely related to, but distinct from, Hepatozoon canis. The pine martens were in good physical condition and there was no indication that the infection was causing ill health.