The development ofBabesia (Theileria) equi (Laveran, 1901) in the gut and the haemolymph of the vector ticks,Hyalomma species

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The development of the piroplasmBabesia equi was studied by light microscopy in the gut and the haemolymph of three differentHyalomma species during and after the nymphs had engorged on parasitaemic horses. The stock ofB. equi used was isolated from a horse imported from Turkmenistan (CIS) in 1991. The existence of gamogony was identified by the occurrence of gamonts and gametes in the gut contents of the nymphs at between 3 and 4 days after infestation of the nymphs, before the ticks dropped off the experimentally infected horses. Zygotes and kinetes were observed in the intestinal cells from day 4 until day 7 after infestation i.e. 2 days prior to engorgement until repletion of the nymphs. Simultaneously, kinetes could also be seen in the haemolymph of the developmental stages ofB. equi identified in the gut and the haemolymph of the vector ticks were identical in all threeHyalomma species. They resembled typical developmental stages of bovineTheileria species. Because of the close similarity of the developmental cycle ofB. equi inHyalomma species to the life cycle ofTheileria species and due to the differences to the otherBabesia species, a discussion about classifyingB. equi into the family of Theileriidae now seems to be justified.

This publication has 15 references indexed in Scilit: