Showing papers on "Babesia published in 1978"

The duration of latent infection and functional immunity in droughtmaster and hereford cattle following natural infection with babesia argentina and babesia bigemina

Abstract: SUMMARY Ten Droughtmaster and 9 Hereford cattle were born in an enzootic babesiasis area and became naturally infected with Babesia argentina and B. bigemina during a 3 year period. They were then kept free of cattle ticks (Boophilus microplus) for the remainder of the experiment. Annually for the next 3 years their individual infection status with Babesia was determined by sub-inoculation of blood into splenectomised calves. At the end of this period the functional immunity of all cattle was challenged by blood inoculation of heterologous strains of B. argentina and B. bigemina. Infection with B. argentina persisted in all Herefords for 2 years and in 7 for 3 years after they had been freed of B. microplus. The number of Droughtmasters with detectable B. argentina infection progressively declined, and at the end of 3 years only 2 of 10 were still infected. No Herefords were shown to be infected with B. bigemina following 1 year's freedom from B. microplus but latent B. bigemina infection of at least 2 year's duration was demonstrated in one of the Droughtmasters. A marked degree of resistance was apparent in all cattle when the were challenged with an heterologous strain of B. argentina. There were no differences between the response to challenge of the Herefords and Droughtmasters nor between the reactions of cattle which had apparently naturally sterilised B. argentina infection and those which were still infected. The heterologous strain of B. bigemina produced parasitaemia in the majority of animals but only minimal fever and anaemia resulted with no significant differences between the breeds.

Hematotropic parasites of translocated raccoons in the southeast.

Abstract: Ninety-four raccoons (Procyon lotor) from 6 southeastern states were examined for hematotropic parasites, to evaluate the carrier potential of these animals as they relate to translocation and release for hunting purposes. Four species of hematotropic parasites were identified, viz, Babesia procyonis, Haemobartonella procyoni, Hepatozoon procyonis, and Trypanosoma cruzi. Lesions in infected raccoons were associated only with H procyonis. Babesia procyonis was enzootic in populations of raccoons used as sources for exportation and in raccoons resident in typical release areas. Haemobartonella procyoni, H procyonis, and T cruzi were prevalent only in locales of raccoon origin. Due to the potential pathogenicity of H procyonis and T cruzi in raccoons or other hosts, the practice of translocating raccoons from enzootic to nonenzootic areas was considered biologically hazardous.

A serological survey for Babesia in cattle in Scotland II. The occurrence of antibody in the population and the distribution of infected herds.

Abstract: (1978). A serological survey for Babesia in cattle in Scotland. II. The occurrence of antibody in the population and the distribution of infected herds. Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology: Vol. 72, No. 5, pp. 417-428.

Fatal experimental Babesia microti infections in the Norwegian lemming, Lemmus lemmus (L.).

Abstract: Experimental infections of Babesia microti in laboratory-reared Clethrionomys glareolus revealed that approximately 15% of the erythrocytes were infected with single ring forms during peak parasitemia. Infected erythrocytes could be detected in blood smears up to one month post infection. C. glareolus treated with a single injection of Depo-Medrol i.m. two days prior to infection displayed a four-fold increase in number of infected erythrocytes at peak parasitemia, 35% of which contained more than one Babesia, and a prolongation of the infection. B. microti infections in 35 laboratory--reared Lemmus lemmus were fatal. Multiple invasion of erythrocytes, anemia, icterus, hemoglobinuria, anorexia and weight loss, and adrenal and splenic hypertrophy were characteristic for B. microti infections in Norwegian lemmings.

Babesia bovis (= argentina): changes in erythrophylic and associated proteins during acute infection of splenectomized and intact calves.

Abstract: Saline eluates were prepared from sucrose-washed erythrocytes of cattle infected with B. bovis (=argentina). Fibrinogen, plasminogen and IgG2 were constituent proteins of the eluates and all three proteins increased in concentration during infection. The significance of the protein changes and their contribution to coagulation and fibrinolysis during infection are discussed.

Comparison of the dried blood on filter paper and serum techniques for the diagnosis of bovine babesiosis utilizing the indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test.

Abstract: A comparison between the techniques of dried blood on filter paper and serum for the diagnosis of babesiosis utilizing the indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test was evaluated. Dried blood on filter paper was used as a method to detect B. bigemina and B. argentina antibodies of Colombian cattle under laboratory and field conditions and the technique was compared with the serum of the same animals. A high relationship was found between the results of the dried blood and the serum from calves experimentally infected with Babesia spp. and calves from enzootic hemoparasites-free zones in Colombia. There were no significant differences in the sensitivity and specificity of both techniques. The samples on filter paper could be practical for field use due to their easy management and storage at different temperatures. This indicates that the use of dried blood may be a valuable aid for the epizootiologic studies of Babesia spp. infections in bovines.

Babesiosis: malaria mimic.

Abstract: Human infection with blood parasites of the genus Babesia can result in a hemolytic disease very similar to malaria. Laboratory diagnosis of babesiosis is dependent upon the detection and identification of the parasite in blood films. The distinguishing criteria are: lack of pigment in infected red blood cells; no circulating schizonts or gametocytes; "atypical" malarialike organisms; tetrad groups, rods, or exclamation-mark forms; and persisting parasitemia after treatment for malaria.

[The suitability of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the demonstration of babesia antibodies in hyperimmune serums with the use of ectoantigens]

Abstract: From sera of highly parasitised mice and dogs with Babesia rodhaini, B. galagolata and B. canis ectoantigens were isolated by column-chromatography and tested in the ELISA for their serological properties. Hyperimmunsera against the three Babesia species were prepared in rabbits, mice and dogs. Serologic cross-reactions occurred between the investigated Babesia species although distinct titer differences could be observed between B. canis on one hand and B. rodhaini and B. galagolata on the other hand. The ELISA appears to be suitable for serological field surveys of babesiosis.