Presumptive Babesia ovis infection in a spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica)

On December 29 1995, a 13-year old, male Spanish ibex was easily captured b y hand, with depression, weakness and severe tick infestation, mainly in th e periocular and auricular regions. Blood and serum samples were collected and haematological analysis and serum iron levels were determined. Red bloo d cell count, haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular h aemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were decreased and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) increased (macrocytic-hypochromic anemia). Serum iron and transferrin saturation were decreased and total and unbound iron-binding capacity were increased. Piroplasms were observed within parasitized erythrocytes and pr esumptively identified as Babesia spp. Ticks were identified exclusively as Ripicephalus bursa. The animal was treated with imidocarb but died after 1 5 days of capture. Histopathological examination revealed congestion of pul monary capillaries and spleen, glomerulonephritis, hemoglobinuric nephrosis and generalized hemosiderosis. An indirect fluorescent antibody test was p erformed using a Babesia ovis isolate of ovine origin as antigen and the an imal was positive with a titre of 1 : 640. (C)2000 Elsevier Science B.V. Al l rights reserved.