First Molecular Identification of Zoonotic Babesia odocoilei in Ticks from Romania

Babesia odocoilei is an emerging zoonotic protozoan parasite primarily associated with cervids, with growing recognition among non-cervid hosts and in terms of potential public health implications. While this species has been documented in North America and parts of Europe, data on its presence in Romania remain scarce. This study aimed to investigate the presence of Babesia spp. in ticks collected from Romania, providing new information on the existing species and their distribution, as well as their potential epidemiologic significance. A total of 41 Ixodidae ticks were collected from 184 wild boars across six counties from Western and Central Romania. Ticks were identified using morphological assessments, and DNA was extracted from the samples using a standardized protocol. The presence of Babesia spp. was assessed using real-time PCR with primers and a Taq Man probe targeting 116 bp fragments of 18S rRNA genes. Molecular analysis was used to detect Babesia spp. DNA from a single tick sample (1/41, 2.43%), identified as Dermacentor marginatus, from Timiș County. The resulting amplicons were sequenced and compared with reference sequences in GenBank for species confirmation. This finding represents the first molecular identification of B. odocoilei in questing ticks from Romania. The expanding host range and geographic distribution of B. odocoilei raise concerns regarding its zoonotic potential. The presence of this pathogen in Dermacentor marginatus ticks suggests a broader vector competence than previously recognized, and future research should focus on host reservoirs, vector competence, and potential zoonotic transmission, with an emphasis on public health implications, including potential implications for veterinary diagnostics, vector control policies, and public health awareness regarding emerging tick-borne pathogens.