Epidemiological observations on theileriosis following field immunisation using infection and treatment

Thirty-seven high grade cattle were immunised against Corridor disease (Theileria parva lawrencei infection) on a farm with a history of heavy and often lethal theilerial challenge. Nineteen cattle were immunised by treating with two doses of long-acting oxytetracyclines given at 20 mg/kg on days 0 and 4 after sporozoite stabilate inoculation, while the other 18 were treated with naphthoquinone buparvaquone, given as a single dose of 2.5 mg/kg simultaneously with stabilate inoculation. All the cattle underwent subclinical theilerial reactions with all but two developing high antibody titres on the IFAT test against T. parva schizont antigen by day 35 after the immunisation. Both buparvaquone and long-acting oxytetracycline appeared equally effective in the immunisation. To date, 26 months later, only two cases of theileriosis parasitologically characteristic of T. p. parva have been reported in the immunised cattle. Following the two cases, investigations showed that when uninfected Rhipicephalus appendiculatus nymphal ticks were deliberately fed on healthy resident cattle on the farm, the resultant adult ticks transmitted acute and lethal theilerial infections to five out of five susceptible cattle. The resultant infections were parasitologically characteristic of T. p. parva infections. Furthermore, the monoclonal antibody profiles of schizont infected cell lines from these infections appeared to be characteristic of T. p. parva. It was thus concluded that resident cattle on the farm could be a potential source of T.p. parva infection which had broken through the immunity of T.p. lawrencei immunised cattle and could constitute a reservoir of theilerial infection for ticks and hence to susceptible stock on the farm.     

Effects of tick infestation on Boran (Bos indicus) cattle immunised against theileriosis in an endemic area of Kenya

Boran (Bos indicus) heifers were immunised by infection with local Theileria parva parva, T p lawrencei and T mutans stocks and treated with parvaquone and later exposed to natural tick and tick-borne disease challenge in the Trans-Mara Division of Kenya. The Theileria species parasites in the challenge were maintained in African buffalo and cattle and the tick vectors were supported by several species of wild Bovidae and domestic livestock present in the area. Thirty immune cattle were observed for 30 weeks while grazing on a ranch in the Trans-Mara Division. Of these, 15 were immersed in toxaphene at weekly or twice-weekly intervals while 15 cattle remained without acaricide application. Cattle which became pregnant were withdrawn from the experiment. There was no evidence of any clinical tick-borne disease in either group of cattle during the experiment. Five species of ixodid ticks infested the cattle during the experiment and cattle which were not treated with acaricide had far more ticks. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus was the most abundant tick species, with a mean infestation of 46 adults per animal in the undipped cattle. This tick also appeared to be the cause of the observed reduction in weight gains. Major haematological parameters did not differ significantly between the groups. Behavioural studies showed that the undipped cattle spent less time grazing and ruminating. This study has shown that, at the expense of some loss in productivity, zebu cattle, immunised against ticks and theileriosis, can be kept despite tick infestation.     

Immunisation of cattle against theileriosis in Coast Province, Kenya: laboratory evaluation of a Theileria parva parva stabilate for use in 'infection and treatment' immunisation in the field

Theileria parva parva Marikebuni stock, previously shown to give good protection to immunised cattle in Kilifi District, Coast Province of Kenya, was chosen for large scale immunisation in the district. A large sporozoite stabilate was prepared and evaluated for efficacy and safety in the 'infection and treatment' method, using a long or short acting formulation of oxytetracycline. Susceptible cattle were infected with selected doses of stabilate (10(0), 10(-1), 10(-1.7) and left either as untreated controls, or treated with one of the two oxytetracycline formulations. It was concluded that stabilate dilution at 10(-0.7) or 10(-1) in combination with either formulation of oxytetracycline would effect satisfactory immunisation. The short acting oxytetracycline treatment was judged to be the most efficacious in protecting cattle against homologous challenge. On heterologous challenge it was found that T p parva Marikebuni immune cattle were protected against seven T p parva stocks from Kilifi District and also against four stocks of T p parva from other areas of Kenya. In addition, the Marikebuni stock provided partial protection against challenge by T p lawrencei stocks. Furthermore, cattle immune to T p parva and T p lawrencei were protected against lethal challenge of T p parva Marikebuni stock. Thus, it appears that large scale immunisation of cattle against theileriosis in Kilifi District could be undertaken using the Marikebuni stock. With continued assessment, this stock could provide a master theilerial stock for immunisation against cattle theileriosis in areas free of buffaloes elsewhere in Kenya.     

Evaluation of infection and treatment methods in immunization of improved cattle against theileriosis in an endemic area of Kenya

Five experiments were carried out to determine the efficacy of immunization against theileriosis in an endemic area of Kenya using artificial infection with a mixture of stabilates of Theileria parva stock or natural infection and treatment with parvaquone or several formulations of oxytetracyclines. For the first four experiments, introduced, susceptible Sahiwal/Friesian crosses were used and in the fifth, calves of Boran/Maasai zebu crosses born on the site. Cattle were infected either artificially with sporozoite stabilates of local isolates of T. parva parva derived from cattle and T. parva lawrencei derived from African buffalo or exposed to natural tick challenge on the ranch mostly derived from buffalo. The cattle were then given various treatment regimens using either parvaquone or long- and short-acting formulations of oxytetracycline. Treatment of natural infections, although it can be effective, was not considered a practical method on a large scale because of the need for intensive monitoring in the case of parvaquone treatment and the possibility of cattle not becoming infected in the case of prolonged application of long-acting formulations of oxytetracycline. Both methods were relatively expensive. Artificial infection treatment proved more practical and methods were developed where the monitoring of cattle was not required during the immunization procedure. Out of a total of 16 drug regimens investigated, one (consisting of two treatments of a short-acting formulation of oxytetracycline at 10 mg kg-1 body weight on Days 0 and 3 or 4 after infection) was found to be the most efficacious and the cheapest, and has now been used on a routine basis. This method can be used successfully on calves greater than 1 month of age.     

The effect of East Coast fever immunisation and different acaricidal treatments on the productivity of beef cattle

A trial was performed on a farm in the Coast Province of Kenya to study the effects of East Coast fever immunisation and different acaricidal treatments on the productivity of immunised and unimmunised beef cattle. Eighty cattle were immunised against Theileria parva parva (Marikebuni) by the infection and treatment method and a similar group was left as an unimmunised control. Immunisation had no deleterious effect on the cattle. After immunisation, the immunised and control groups were each subdivided into four groups of 20 and each subgroup was managed under a different tick control regimen. The tick control regimen were, acaricidal spraying twice a week or once every three weeks, the application of acaricide-impregnated ear-tags, and no tick control. During a nine-month exposure period there were 18 cases of East Coast fever among the 80 immunised cattle, three which were severe and the others mild. Among the 80 unimmunised cattle there were 57 cases of East Coast fever, 50 of which were severe. The highest morbidity and mortality occurred in the groups under limited tick control or without tick control. Overall weight gain in the immunised cattle, irrespective of the tick control regimen, was better than the weight gain in the unimmunised groups. Within the immunised groups, the weight gain of the cattle sprayed twice weekly was comparable to the weight gain of the animals with acaricidal ear-tags and was significantly higher than the weight gains in the groups sprayed once every three weeks or with tick control. Preliminary cost/benefit analysis showed that it was uneconomical to maintain unimmunised cattle under limited or no tick control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Immunization of cattle against Theileria parva bovis and their exposure to natural challenge

Theileria parva bovis isolates were tested for their immunizing capacity under natural field challenge on Willsbridge Farm in the highveld of Zimbabwe. Fifteen susceptible Sussex yearlings were immunized with the Boleni stock and 15 with a mixture of three isolates from the farm, using tick-derived sporozoite stabilates. No chemoprophylaxis was used. A dose of 0.1 ml of stabilate appeared to be safe in preliminary laboratory experiments, but the reactions were severe in the Sussex cattle and one died despite treatment. Twenty-nine immunized animals and 10 controls first experienced a mild infection, starting about 15 days after their arrival at the farm. Ten of the immunized animals and four controls had schizonts in peripheral lymph nodes for variable periods; one third of those had pyrexia. Nymphal Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks applied to three of the reacting immunized calves transmitted Theileria taurotragi to two animals and T. parva to a third. A second Theileria infection, due to T. parva bovis, was detected shortly after the first one. Schizonts were detected in seven out of 10 controls. Pyrexia was more severe and prolonged. Two of the controls died of theileriosis. At the same time schizonts were seen in three immune animals and eight of them had short periods of pyrexia. Intercurrent infections with Babesia bigemina, Borrelia theileri and Eperythrozoon were detected and may have contributed to the fever. Tick infestations were low during the exposure. In the second year of exposure, four out of eight new control animals had severe reactions, and one died. None of the immunized animals became ill, but one animal from the first year control group, which had not reacted previously, had clinical theileriosis. It is concluded that immunization provided an effective protection against field challenge.     

Rhipicephalus zambeziensis as a vector of bovine theileriae

Rhipicephalus zambeziensis was shown experimentally to transmit Theileria parva parva in cattle from nymph to adult and Theileria parva lawrencei, Theileria parva bovis and Theileria taurotragi from larva to nymph and nymph to adult. In a single trial the tick failed to transmit Theileria mutans. The tick is believed to be a vector of T. parva lawrencei in the field in Zimbabwe.     

Infection of African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and cattle with Theileria parva lawrencei after serial passage in cattle

The infectivity of a Theileria parva lawrencei stabilate, from a stock derived from an African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, was investigated. In the first experiment a buffalo and three cattle were inoculated with a stabilate from a stock passaged three times in cattle. All cattle developed fatal theilerial infections. Isolations from the buffalo by tick feeding and cell culture isolation showed that it was infected with T p lawrencei at the time of inoculation, but the second isolation made 19 days after inoculation behaved like T p parva in cattle, developing a high parasitosis, while the third isolation made three months later behaved like T p lawrencei with low parasitosis. It was concluded that two biological types of T parva could exist in a buffalo at one time, but it was not shown that the buffalo had become a carrier of T p lawrencei adapted to cattle. In the second experiment two buffaloes and three cattle were inoculated with T p lawrencei (Serengeti) stabilate which had been passaged six times through cattle and ticks. The two buffaloes had mild theilerial infections and developed serological titres in the indirect fluorescent antibody test, but the cattle had fatal infections. Tick and cell culture isolations of T parva were possible during the clinical reactions of the buffaloes, but no carrier state was demonstrated. Theileria-infected cell lines were established from the buffaloes and the cattle and were examined using monoclonal antibodies against T parva schizonts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Epidemiological observations of Zimbabwean theileriosis: disease incidence and pathogenicity in susceptible cattle during Rhipicephalus appendiculatus nymphal and adult seasonal activity.

Fifty-nine Hereford cattle susceptible to tick-borne diseases were used as tracer animals to assess the tick challenge and pathogenicity of Theileria parva under field conditions in Zimbabwe. They were moved periodically in groups of five to three commercial farms (one group consisted of four) during seasons of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus nymphal and adult activity. All tracer cattle were herded together with the farm cattle but were not dipped. The nymphal tick counts were high on two of the farms (up to 2000 per animal) but were very low on the third farm (less than ten per animal). On the three farms, 19 out of 24 (76%) tracers had patent Theileria schizonts. There was a range of clinical manifestations of theileriosis with acute and fatal infections occurring on one farm. The adult R. appendiculatus infestations during the wet season numbered 120-800 per animal on the three farms. The disease transmitted by the adults was very pathogenic on the three farms; 30 out of 35 (86%) had severe theileriosis infections. Cattle, which survived the nymphal diseases challenge, showed various degrees of immunity to subsequent T. parva challenge transmitted by adult ticks. Therefore, 13 out of 18 (72%) of these cattle had a second disease episode and the case fatality rate on the three farms was 46%. The factors which determined the epidemiological status of Theileria challenge on the farms, such as the farming systems and presence of wild animals, are discussed.     

Endemic stability for Theileria parva infections in Ankole calves of the Ankole ranching scheme, Uganda

A population-based study was carried out on the Ankole ranching scheme in south-west Uganda with the aim of determining the endemic status of Theileria parva infections. For this purpose, the age-related sero-prevalence of T. parva and the specific calf mortality associated with the parasite were assessed. Blood samples were collected from 931 Ankole calves of up to 12 months of age from 81 randomly selected herds. The relationship between rainfall pattern and whole-body Rhipicephalus appendiculatus counts was determined. The influence of tick control practices on East Coast fever-related calf mortality, and sero-positivity were also determined. A significant (r2 = 0.76, P = 0.000) association between R. appendiculatus counts and rainfall was observed. There was no significant (P > 0.05) association between theileriosis-related calf mortality, sero-positivity and the different tick control practices. Antibody prevalence based on the PIM ELISA was above 70% among calves of 6 months of age in 96% in all the herds. Theileria parva-related calf mortality determined by repeated herd visits and farm records ranged between 0 % and 5.4 %. It was concluded that endemic stability for theileriosis, caused by T. parva, existed in the study area, and that the risk of the occurrence of economically important outbreaks of East Coast fever in indigenous cattle was regarded as minimal under the prevailing conditions.     

Validation of an in vitro method to determine infectivity of cryopreserved sporozoites in stabilates of Theileria spp.

The infectivity of 15 cryopreserved Theileria spp. sporozoite stabilates was assessed semi-quantitatively by titration using naive peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) in vitro in multi-well plates. Using the method described, the effective dilution, which would result in 50% of replicate wells infected (ED50), was calculated. The ED50 for 11 Theileria annulata stabilates in bovine PBM ranged from 10(-2.6) to 10(-4.2) dilutions of 1 tick equivalent (t.e.) ml(-1), one stabilate of Theileria parva 10(-2.2)t.e.ml(-1); and three Theileria lestoquardi stabilates in ovine PBM, from 10(-1.5) to 10(-1.8)t.e.ml(-1). Two of the T. annulata stabilates had been used individually to infect groups of calves: stabilate 52 produced more severe disease responses than stabilate 67, as measured by prepatent period, parasitosis, parasitaemia and death or recovery. This corresponded with the sixfold difference found in vitro between the ED50's of these two stabilates. This method is useful not only to measure the infection potential of the sporozoite stabilates but also as an in vitro model for chemotherapeutic and immunological studies of the early stages of theileriosis.     

Identification of a target population for immunisation against East Coast fever in coastal Kenya

Two experiments were carried out to identify the target population of cattle for immunisation against East Coast fever (ECF) using the infection-and-treatment method. Firstly, a sentinel-calf study was used to determine the age window for ECF immunisation by determining ages at clinical detection of infection with Theileria parva. Six groups of five naive cross-bred (Bos taurus/Bos indicus) male calves, introduced at intervals of 2 months at a mean age of 26 days, were exposed to natural tick challenge on a high ECF-risk, small-holder farm in the coastal lowland, coconut-cassava agro-ecological zone of coastal Kenya. Secondly, a challenge study evaluated the relationship between the presence of T. parva antibodies and immunity. Ten indigenous adult Zebu cattle and nine Zebu young stock purchased from farmers in the same zone, and eight cross-bred calves (survivors of the sentinel-calf study) were challenged with 10 times the immunising dose of T. parva Marikebuni stock. Twenty-four of these 27 cattle had high antibody titres before challenge. Two cross-bred calves, obtained from an ECF-free area and seronegative to T. parva schizont antigen, also were challenged and used as susceptible controls. Twenty-five (83%) of the 30 sentinel calves contracted ECF over an age range of 36-116 days (mean 72 days). The remaining five calves died of other causes within 2 months of arrival on the farm. Fourteen of the 25 calves survived the infection and developed antibodies to T. parva. Despite tick control, seven of these 14 calves had a second episode of ECF and two died. In total, 13 of the 25 calves that contracted ECF died. Only one of 19 indigenous Zebu animals developed clinical ECF when challenged with T. parva Marikebuni (mild clinical signs with spontaneous recovery). Of the eight cross-bred survivors from the first experiment, only one succumbed to ECF when challenged and it died. Both susceptible cross-bred calves developed severe clinical signs of ECF and one died. The experimental studies show that in the high ECF-risk areas of the coconut-cassava zone of coastal Kenya, immunisation against ECF in cross-bred (B. taurus/B. indicus) cattle should be targeted at an early age (preferably within 1-2 months of birth).     

Occurrence of Theileria parva infection in cattle on a farm in the Ladysmith district, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Theileria parva causes widespread morbidity and mortality in cattle in endemic regions. An outbreak of theileriosis occurred on a farm near Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, which is not a declared Corridor disease-infected area. A survey of Red Brangus cattle from all age groups and areas of the farm was performed. Transmission of the parasite from infected animals on the farm to susceptible animals by tick transmission and tick-stabilate injection, was attempted. The survey indicated high numbers of animals with antibody titres to T. parva but only 6 infected animals, based on real-time PCR and RLB analysis. The transmission experiments failed to transmit the parasite. The study shows the difficulty in elucidating a source of infection and determining the dynamics of new infections in a herd where multiple possible sources are present and treatment with tetracyclines has taken place.     

Epidemiological aspects and economic impact of bovine theileriosis (East Coast fever) and its control: a preliminary assessment with special reference to Kibaha district, Tanzania

A cross-sectional study based on clinical examination, inspection of herd health records and a questionnaire was designed to determine the epidemiology, economics and potential impact of immunisation against theileriosis in Tanzania. The results showed annual theileriosis costs to be US$ 205.40 per head, whereas the introduction of immunisation reduced this by 40-68% depending on the post immunisation dipping strategy adopted. Morbidity risk due to theileriosis was 0.048 in immunised and 0.235 in non-immunised cattle, and the difference was significant (chi(2)=66.7; P=0.000). The questionnaire results indicated that immunised cattle had a significantly (chi(2)=6; P=0.015) higher risk of anaplasmosis compared with non-immunised cattle, whereas the risk of bovine babesiosis did not differ significantly (chi(2)=0.06; P=0.807) between the two groups. Mortality risk due to anaplasmosis was 0.046 in immunised and 0.018 in non-immunised cattle and this difference was statistically significant (chi(2)=4.48; P=0.043). The theileriosis mortality risk was 0.203 in the non-immunised cattle, while the risk was 0.009 in the immunised cattle and these differences were also significant (chi(2)=103; P=0.000). It was concluded that farmers who have immunised their cattle may cautiously cut down acaricide application by 50% for extensively grazed herds and by 75% for zero grazed animals depending on the level of tick challenge at the herd level.     

Epidemiology of theileriosis in calves in an endemic area of Kenya

Thirty-one calves born into five Maasai zebu cattle herds over a period of 1 month in the Trans-Mara Division of Kenya, endemic for theileriosis, were recruited for an intensive study of theileriosis. No calves up to 6 months of age died but all developed Theileria infections as judged by slide examination and serology. Parasitosis by T. mutans schizonts in lymph node smears was usually higher than that of T. parva. The T. mutans schizonts usually occurred at an earlier age but persisted at a patent level for a shorter time than those of T. parva. Serological findings using the indirect fluorescent antibody test confirmed the parasitological findings. It was evident that colostral transfer of Theileria antibodies was frequent. Theileria piroplasm parasitaemia had developed in all calves by 111 days of age. The earlier parasitosis by T. mutans reflected the higher infection rates in Amblyomma spp. than in Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. The mean number of R. appendiculatus on the ears of calves during the observations was 9.1 adults and 1.5 nymphs. Clinical episodes of T. mutans and T. parva infection were associated with febrile responses, enlarged lymph nodes, anaemia and other symptoms and about 80% of calves had poor weight gains or weight losses during either clinical infection. It would appear that theileriosis is one of the most important factors in the stunting of calf development in the area.     

Laboratory and field investigations into the Theileria parva carrier-state in cattle in Zimbabwe.

The Theileria parva carrier-state in cattle on commercial farms on Zimbabwe was investigated using parasitological and serological methods. The proportion of cattle showing Theileria piroplasms on two farms, which had recent histories of disease outbreaks, were 64% (n = 106, total of heifers and weaned calves examined) and 71.5% (n = 60) while the proportion of T. parva antibodies for the same animals were 59% and 98.5%, respectively. On four farms where no cases of the disease occurred for over 10 years, the average proportion of animals showing piroplasms and antibodies were 55.4% (range 32-82, n = 223) and 73% (range 47-91, n = 223), respectively. However, on another three farms which had no history of theileriosis outbreaks these proportions were very low, being 11.4% (0-24, n = 157) for piroplasms and 12.2% (5-23, n = 157) for antibodies. The mean infection rate in unfed Rhipicephalus appendiculatus adults collected from farms with a high prevalence of cattle which were carriers of Theileria piroplasms during the tick activity season was 29% (range 12-60%) with 9.3 (range 2-18.7) mean infected acini per infected tick. The infectivity of different tick batches to susceptible cattle produced a wide spectrum of theileriosis reactions. Laboratory controlled experiments were carried out to study the persistence of T. parva (Boleni) piroplasms in cattle immunized with this strain as well as its infectivity for ticks and its subsequent transmissibility to cattle. Examination of the salivary glands of 15 batches of ticks collected from six immunized cattle on three different occasions over 18 months showed that none were infected with Theileria parasites. However, the infectivity of other ticks in the same batches to susceptible animals was demonstrated 6, 10 and 18 months after cattle had been immunized with Boleni stabilate.     

Financial analysis of East Coast fever control strategies on beef production under farm conditions

This study provides a financial analysis of an East Coast fever immunisation trial conducted on a farm in the Coast Province of Kenya. The objective of the trial was to assess the effects of immunisation by the infection and treatment method, under different acaricidal treatments, on the productivity of beef cattle. Eighty beef cattle were immunised and an equal number acted as controls. The immunised and unimmunised groups were divided into four subgroups of 20 animals. Two subgroups, one from the immunised and one from the unimmunised group, were sprayed with acaricide twice a week; a second pair of subgroups was sprayed once every three weeks; a third pair had prolonged release acaricide-impregnated ear-tags inserted into each ear; and a fourth pair had no tick control treatment. Financial analysis revealed that the immunised subgroups were more profitable, owing to lower mortality and higher weight gains than the unimmunised subgroups. Of the immunised subgroups, the best was that sprayed with acaricide twice a week; it yielded a marginal rate of return of 244 per cent and maximised financial benefits to the farmer in this trial. However, further trials under different production circumstances would be required before the method could be recommended for widespread adoption.     

Immunisation against Theileria parva in eastern Zambia: influence of maternal antibodies and demonstration of the carrier status

Immunisation of calves by the infection and treatment method (I & T) has been extensively used in the eastern province of Zambia to control East Coast fever (ECF), a protozoan tick-borne disease. This paper presents the results of a field longitudinal study, which included a total of 148 Angoni calves. After immunisation against ECF, they were monitored for a full rainy season, coinciding with the main peak of activity of the vector of Theileria parva, the tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. Dysimmunisation (acute reaction generated by I & T immunisation), seroconversion and mortality are among the parameters recorded. The effect of maternal antibodies on these parameters was analysed and also studied in experimental conditions on two calves. Before immunisation, young calves had a higher seroprevalence than older animals (maternal antibodies) but their post-immunisation seroprevalence was lower. There was no evidence that their immunoprotection was weaker but this indicates that the post-immunisation seroconversion is probably not a reliable tool to monitor the efficacy of calf immunisation. The carrier state of cattle after immunisation was investigated in experimental conditions on three bovines whereas in the field, the infection prevalence in the ticks was estimated using the relation between the tick burden and the T. parva contacts with the calves. The ability of larval and nymphal R. appendiculatus ticks to pick-up T. parva from carriers and to transmit it to na?ve animals after moulting was assessed. It was found that both instars are able to transmit clinical and lethal ECF but that the prevalence of T. parva infection in nymphs is much lower than in adults, confirming the primary role of adults in the transmission of ECF in endemic conditions. Similar results were obtained from the field whereby the ECF peak corresponds with the peak of adult R. appendiculatus activity. The infection prevalence in the ticks was however much lower in the field than in experimental conditions indicating that an important proportion of them feed on alternative hosts. Old ticks seemed to have lost part of their infectivity.     

Comparison of long acting oxytetracycline and parvaquone in immunisation against East Coast fever by infection and treatment

Two groups of five cattle were immunised with a field isolate of Theileria parva as stabilate and simultaneously treated with long acting oxytetracycline or parvaquone in early clinical disease. The oxytetracycline group suffered a marked fall in leucocyte count and one animal died during immunisation. The parvaquone group suffered a less severe fall in leucocyte count and all survived. The surviving immunised cattle were immune to homologous challenge but susceptible to subsequent challenge with T p lawrencei.     

Cloned Theileria parva produces lesser infections in ticks compared to uncloned T. parva despite similar infections in cattle

Experimental transmissions of cloned Theileria parva in cattle with Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks were compared to transmissions with uncloned T. parva during studies on the potential for genetic recombination during syngamy of Theileria to produce antigenic diversity for evasion of bovine immunity. Prevalence and abundance of T. parva infection in adult ticks, which resulted from the feeding of nymphs on the calves, were significantly higher in the uncloned compared to the cloned T. parva. Development of sporoblasts of T. parva in the ticks to produce infective sporozoites was similar. There was no statistically significant difference in the clinical course of infection in cattle between cloned and uncloned T. parva. It was concluded that cloned T. parva has characteristics that reduce its viability during the tick stages of its life cycle.