Bovine babesiasis: its diagnosis and control
Todorovic, R.A.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 35(8): 1045-1052
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 4850812 Document Number: 79084
The investigation was conducted to develop new systems and to evaluate existing ones for diagnosis and control of bovine babesiasis in Colombia, South America. Antigens of Babesia bigemina and Babesia argentina were isolated and were used in CF and rapid agglutination tests. Three systems were evaluated for control: (1) vaccination of calves with killed Babesia vaccine to produce resistance (based on sterile immunity); (2) premunition of calves with virulent Babesia and the administration of a chemotherapeutic drug to produce resistance (based on coinfectious immunity); (3) chemoprophylaxis, using a babesiacide having long residual activity. The three systems controlled bovine babesiasis under the conditions of the present experiments. Conditions in an enzootic area determine which system is preferable. In zones having a high population of the tick Boophilus microplus, premunition (system 2) is indicated; in areas where the tick population is controlled or in areas where cattle are at constant risk of tick exposure, systems 1 or 3 are best.