Borrelia theileri: isolation from ticks (Boophilus microplus) and tick-borne transmission between splenectomized calves
Smith, R.D.; Miranpuri, G.S.; Adams, J.H.; Ahrens, E.H.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 46(6): 1396-1398
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 4026019 Document Number: 264851
B. theileri was detected in Giemsa-stained blood smears from a splenectomized calf 17 days after exposure to a laboratory colony of B. microplus. Spirochaetes were detected in the haemolymph and ovary of all engorged female ticks examined, indicating a high infection rate in this tick colony. Spirochaetes were detected in a second splenectomized calf 15 days after exposure to the larval offspring of ticks from the first calf. The only observable effect of infection in the two calves was a maximum rectal temperature increase to 40.2 degrees C, which coincided with the first detectable parasitaemia. The tick colony did not have any adverse effects, despite extensive multiplication of spirochaetes in their tissues.