Detection of Babesia odocoilei and an Uncharacterized Babesia Species in Medically Important Ticks of Alabama, USA

Using a multiplex PCR amplicon sequencing assay, Babesia odocoilei and an undescribed Babesia species were detected in Ixodes scapularis , Amblyomma americanum , and Amblyomma maculatum ticks, which previously tested positive in a Babesia divergens -like PCR assay. These results could have important One Health implications for the etiology of babesiosis cases in Alabama.