Asymptomatic Babesia microti–like parasite infection in wild raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in South Korea

We describe asymptomatic piroplasmosis caused by a Babesia microti-like parasite in wild raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) diagnosed by blood smear and DNA analysis. This is the first description of natural B. microti-like parasite infection in raccoon dogs and suggests that the wild raccoon dog can be a source for B. microti-like parasite infection of domestic dogs and humans.