STUDIES ON THEILERIIDAE (SPOROZOA) IN TANZANIA .6. 2ND FIELD TRIAL ON IMMUNIZATION AGAINST CATTLE THEILERIOSIS

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 28  (1) , 26-34
Abstract
Nine cattle, immunized by an infection and treatment method with 3 strains of Theileria parva (Muguga, Kiambu 5 and Serengeti transformed) and 9 controls, were exposed to natural tick infestation in Tanzania. All controls contracted fatal East Coast Fever (ECF) within 2 mo. of exposure. All immunized animals survived the period of exposure (over 2 mo.), but later 1 died of ECF, 1 of heartwater, 1 of an undetermined cause (not a theileriosis) and 1 disappeared from the herd. The 5 remaining animals survived for over 3 mo. after exposure ended. This method of immunization may be of value in protecting valuable animals at risk. An attempt to immunize against pathogenic T. mutans, by injecting blood containing an apathogenic strain of this parasite, gave inconclusive results as no pathogenic strains were encountered during the trial.