Fatal experimental Babesia microti infections in the Norwegian lemming, Lemmus lemmus (L.).
Experimental infections of Babesia microti in laboratory-reared Clethrionomys glareolus revealed that approximately 15% of the erythrocytes were infected with single ring forms during peak parasitemia. Infected erythrocytes could be detected in blood smears up to one month post infection. C. glareolus treated with a single injection of Depo-Medrol i.m. two days prior to infection displayed a four-fold increase in number of infected erythrocytes at peak parasitemia, 35% of which contained more than one Babesia, and a prolongation of the infection. B. microti infections in 35 laboratory--reared Lemmus lemmus were fatal. Multiple invasion of erythrocytes, anemia, icterus, hemoglobinuria, anorexia and weight loss, and adrenal and splenic hypertrophy were characteristic for B. microti infections in Norwegian lemmings.
D000818:Animals; D003411:Arvicolinae; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009664:Norway; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology*