| the identification of a genetically unique piroplasma in north american river otters (lontra canadensis). | during a routine health check of a wild-caught north american river otter (lontra canadensis) small piroplasms were noted within erythrocytes. analyses of the 18s ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rrna) gene sequences determined that this was a genetically unique organism most closely related to babesia microti-like parasites found in other small carnivores. subsequently 39 wild-trapped north american river otters from north carolina were tested for the presence of piroplasma deoxyribonucleic acid (dn ... | 2007 | 17214914 |