The occurrence of babesiasis affecting small terrestrial mammals and the importance of this zoonosis in Europe.

A short survey is given of the occurrence of babesiasis affecting small terrestrial mammals in some parts of Europe. Results obtained in studies of 7,038 small terrestrial mammals (42 species) from Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria, show the distribution of Babesia microti in these countries. The authors found babesias in the following host species: Neomys anomalus, Clethrionomys glareolus. Microtus arvalis, M. agrestis, Apodemus agratius, A. flavicollis, A. sylvaticus and Mus musculus. The average incidence was very low-0.2% and varied in individual countries from negative to 0.7%. Problems of the natural foci of B. microti in Central Europe and discussed and hitherto recorded cases of Babesia infections in man are summarised. The epidemiological importance of the unspecific mammal hosts of B. microti is emphasised and the necessity of surveillance of this zoonosis in Europe is pointed out.