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.