Am. Kjemtrup et al., SEROPREVALENCE OF 2 BABESIA SPP ISOLATES IN SELECTED BIGHORN SHEEP (OVIS-CANADENSIS) AND MULE DEER (ODOCOILEUS-HEMIONUS) POPULATIONS IN CALIFORNIA, Journal of wildlife diseases, 31(4), 1995, pp. 467-471
Sera from 111 bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) and 95 mule deer (Odocoi
leus hemionus) were tested using an indirect immunofluorescence assay
for antibodies to two isolates of Babesia spp. recently obtained from
these hosts in California (USA). The study populations were from six l
ocations: three areas of real or potential sympatry of bighorn sheep a
nd deer, one area with deer only, and two areas with bighorn sheep onl
y. Antibody titers from seroreactive individuals were similar with bot
h babesial isolate antigens (P < 0.05), and seroprevalence was highest
in the areas of host sympatry. A moderate to high seroprevalence (gre
ater than or equal to 30%) in some of the study populations was eviden
ce that babesial parasites may be common in bighorn sheep and mule dee
r in some areas of California.