Cytological and immunological responses toBabesia divergens in different hosts: Ox, gerbil, man

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Abstract
A continuous in vitro culture system forBabesia divergens was initiated from a human isolate. It was maintained through 305 subcultures for 3 years using a low concentration of serum and a low haematocrit, with no decrease in the initial virulence. This in vitro system enabled the routine culture of all human and bovineB. divergens isolates thus far tested, with a mean parasitaemia level of 30%–40%. Different cytological aspects observed in the same isolate by optical and electron microscopy were described in parasitized ox, gerbil and human erythrocytes. The sequence ofB. divergens antibody responses was determined in man and ox, enabling the precise identification of majorB. divergens antigens as candidates for vaccines.