BABESIA ODOCOILEI EMERSON AND WRIGHT, 1970 IN WHITE-TAILED DEER, ODOCOILEUS VIRGINIANUS (ZIMMERMANN), IN VIRGINIA

Abstract
Pooled blood samples from 6 white-tailed deer from the Great Dismal Swamp in Virginia [USA] were inoculated into 2 splenectomized deer. A moderately severe clinical reaction ensued, characterized by a hemolytic anemia, and a Babesia found in both recipient animals was presumptively identified as B. odocoilei. This is the 1st reported identification of this parasite in white-tailed deer in Virginia.