This is the first time that Babesia annae DNA has been reported in red
foxes in Great Britain with positive samples being found across England
and Scotland indicating that this parasite is well established within
the
red fox population of Britain.
- Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that though B. annae is closely related to B. microti it is a distinct species.
red fox population of Britain.
- Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that though B. annae is closely related to B. microti it is a distinct species.
- Babesia are small piroplasmid parasites which are widely distributed
throughout the world and are transmitted to hosts through the bite of
infected ticks, transplacentally, mechanically through the exchange of
blood, in dog fights, as well as transovarially and transstadially in
ticks.
