The effect of natural exposure toAnaplasma andBabesia infections on native calves in an endemic area of Colombia

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Summary The age at which native calves first became infected withAnaplasma marginale andBabesia bigemina and the effect of the infections as characterised by anaemia was determined by the biweekly examination of newly born calves on four ranches located in an endemic area of anaplasmosis and babesiosis on the north coast of Colombia. All of the calves examined became infected withA. marginale at 4–24 weeks of age and withB. bigemina at 2–34 weeks of age. The mean age at first infection with both haemoparasites was 11 weeks. A significant decrease occurred in the mean packed cell volumes of the calves following infection. However, the packed cell volumes returned to preinfection levels within 4 weeks following infection and most calves recovered from their first natural infections without apparent serious consequences. The mild clinical response and rapid recovery indicated that the protection of native calves through immunisation or other procedures prior to natural exposure would be of questionable value.