Clinical bovine piroplasmosis caused by Babesia occultans in Italy

Abstract

A clinical outbreak of bovine piroplasmosis was reported in Italy. The etiological agent was characterized as Babesia occultans, a parasite regarded as apathogenic and never detected before in continental Europe. This report paves the way for further studies to assess the occurrence of this tick-transmitted protozoan in other European regions. © 2013, American Society for Microbiology.