Babesia sp. EU1 Infection in a Forest Reindeer | CDC EID

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Volume 17, Number 5–May 2011
Letter
Babesia sp. EU1 Infection in a Forest Reindeer, the Netherlands
Marja Kik, Ard M. Nijhof,1 Jesper A. Balk, and Frans Jongejan
Author affiliations: Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands (M. Kik, A.M. Nijhof, J.A. Balk, F. Jongejan); and University of


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To the Editor: Fatal piroplasmosis in domestic reindeer (Rangifer spp.) was first reported by Kertzelli in 1909; he named the piroplasm Piroplasma tarandi rhangferis. Similar piroplasms also were observed in blood smears of reindeer that had a condition known as spleen disease, which occurred in the second part of summer in the Arctic tundra and was characterized by clinical signs such as splenomegaly, icterus, pale mucous membranes, and death (1). Hemoglobinuria, a characteristic sign of babesiosis, is not mentioned in these early 20th century reports. However, these signs were observed in a Babesia divergens–infected reindeer herd in Scotland (2).

The only other reported cases of severe babesiosis in reindeer and caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) were caused by B. odocoilei, a predominantly nonpathogenic parasite of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) that can cause fatal infection in reindeer (3,4). Babesia sp. EU1 is a recently recognized zoonotic Babesia species that has been associated with human babesiosis in Europe and is phylogenetically related to the B. odocoilei parasite (5). We report on a juvenile reindeer with babesiosis caused by Babesia sp. EU1.

A 5-week-old, captive-bred, female forest reindeer from an otherwise healthy herd of 9 animals in a zoo in the Netherlands was euthanized after showing clinical signs of lethargy, jaundice, and hemorrhagic diarrhea for >8 hours that did not improve after treatment with butylscopolamine (Buscopan; Boehringer Ingelheim, Alkmaar, the Netherlands) and enrofloxacin (Baytril; Bayer, Leverkusen, Germany). At necropsy, jaundice was evident in the sclera, aorta, and leptomeninges. On the basis of the degree of fat storage and muscle development, the body condition was fair. The lungs were hyperemic and edematous, and the trachea contained foam. The liver was enlarged and pale; the spleen was enlarged. The kidneys were dark brown. Hemoglobinuria was noted in the urinary bladder.

Tissue samples from various organs were in fixed in 4% phosphate-buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin, cut into 4-μm sections, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. No microscopic lesions were found in the skin, thymus, thyroid gland, tonsils, salivary glands, tongue, gastrointestinal tract, or heart. Numerous hemosiderin-laden macrophages were found in the spleen and liver sinusoids. Pigmentary nephrosis with moderate tubular degeneration and focal interstitial petechial hemorrhages were seen in the kidneys. Erythrophagocytosis was evident in the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and spleen.

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Babesia sp. EU1 Infection in a Forest Reindeer | CDC EID


Suggested Citation for this Article
Kik M, Nijhof AM, Balk JA, Jongejan F. Babesia sp. EU1 infection in a forest reindeer, the Netherlands [letter]. Emerg Infect Dis [serial on the Internet]. 2011 May [date cited].
http://www.cdc.gov/EID/content/17/5/936.htm

DOI: 10.3201/eid1705.101834



1Current affiliation: Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.


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Marja Kik, Department of Pathobiology, Division Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands; email: info@kikdierenarts.nl