Clinical outbreak of babesiosis caused by Babesia capreoliin 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 capreoliinfection. 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. capreolisequences. Ixodes ricinushas been demonstrated to be a competent vector for B. capreolifrom infected roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), the natural host of B. capreoli.