Cross-bred Cattle Protected against Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum by Larval Antigens Purified by Immunoaffinity Chromatography

Antigens from larvae of Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum were extracted and purified by immunoaffinity chromatography using immunoglobulin ligands from cross-bred animals immunized with soluble larval antigen. Affinity-purified antigen (Aff-TLE) and a total larval extract (TLE) were used to immunize cross-bred (Bos indicus×Bos taurus) cattle. The group immunized with Aff-TLE rejected 71.6% of larvae and 77.3% of nymphs. However, the rejection percentages were lower in the TLE-immunized group. No significant changes in the feeding period, moulting percentages or moulting period of engorged larvae and nymphs were recorded. There was, however, a significant decrease in the number of resultant nymphs p<0.01) and adults (p<0.01) in the ticks fed on the Aff-TLE-immunized group. The Aff-TLE antigen was 93.3% purified. SDS-PAGE analysis identified a 39 kDa protein, reported for the first time, as the antigen responsible for the induction of resistance in the host.     

Reduction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Theileria annulata</Emphasis> Infection in Ticks Fed on Calves Immunized with Purified Larval Antigens of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum</Emphasis>

Larval antigen of Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, the vector of Theileria annulata, was purified by two-step affinity chromatography using anti-tick gut-specific rabbit IgG and IgG from immunized cattle. The purified antigen showed the presence of a single polypeptide of 37 kDa (GHLAgP) on SDS-PAGE. Two groups (I and II) of naive crossbred calves (Bos taurus × B. indicus) were immunized with 1 mg of GHLAgP in three divided doses. Immunized calves of group I were also infected with a sublethal dose of T. annulata along with a group of non-immunized calves (group III). Animals in groups I, II, III as well a control group (group IV) were challenged with live nymphs of H. a. anatolicum on the 10th day of immunization. There was a significant reduction in the number of emerging adults of 56.9% ± 1.67% in calves of group I (p < 0.01) and 63.09% ± 1.26% in calves of group II (p < 0.001) compared to the controls. The calves of groups I and II showed antibody responses to tick antigen up to day 70 post immunization. Infection with T. annulata was determined in the salivary glands of adult ticks that developed from the nymphs used for challenge infection. In ticks taken from group I calves, there was a 75.0% ± 0.00% infection compared with only 85.0% ± 2.88% infection in ticks taken from calves of group III. Using PCR, a lower infection (83.33% ± 3.33%) was detected in ticks that developed from calves of group I compared with calves from group III (90.00% ± 2.88%). The ground-up tick supernatants (GUTS) of the ticks taken from calves of group III yielded higher infection rate and exhibited higher infectivity titre in in vitro infection assay of bovine mononuclear cells than the GUTS of the ticks taken from calves of group I. The results suggest a partial reduction in growth rate of T. annulata in ticks feeding on calves immunized with GHLAgP.     

Immunization of cattle with nymphal Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum extracts: effects on tick biology

Antigens derived from partially engorged nymphs of Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum were used in immunizing crossbred (Bos indicus×Bos taurus) cattle against larval, nymphal and adult H. a. anatolicum and H. dromedarii. The cattle were either infected with Theileria annulata at low parasitaemia or were uninfected. Whole nymphal extract (WNE), nymphal membrane antigens (NMA) and nymphal soluble antigens (NSA) were used for immunization. The group immunized with WNE showed significant and better rejection of H. a. anatolicum ticks as compared to calves immunized with either NMA or NSA. The moulting rates of both engorged larvae and nymphs remained unaffected. Nymphs which engorged on the immunized calves were fully susceptible to infection by T. annulata as indicated by the intensity and abundance of Theileria infections in the resulting adult ticks from immunized and unimmunized Theileria infected cattle. These ticks also transmitted fatal theileriosis to susceptible calves.     

Vaccine potential of recombinant antigens of Theileria annulata and Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum against vector and parasite

In an attempt to develop vaccine against Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum and Theileria annulata, three antigens were expressed in prokaryotic expression system and protective potentiality of the antigens was evaluated in cross bred calves. Two groups (grs. 1 and 4) of male cross-bred (Bos indicus × Bos taurus) calves were immunized with rHaa86, a Bm86 ortholog of H. a. anatolicum, while one group of calves (gr. 2) were immunized with cocktails of two antigens viz., surface antigens of T. annulata (rSPAG1, rTaSP). One group each was kept as negative controls (grs. 3 and 5). The animals of groups 1, 2 and 3 were challenged with T. annulata infected H. a. anatolicum adults while the animals of groups 1, 3, 4 and 5 were challenged with uninfected adult ticks. A significantly high (p<0.05) antibody responses to all the three antigens were detected in immunized calves, but the immune response was comparatively higher with rHaa86 followed by rTaSP and rSPAG1. Upon challenge with T. annulata infected ticks, animals of all groups showed symptoms of the disease but there was 50% survival of calves of group 1 while all non immunized control calves (group 3) and rSPAG1+rTaSP immunized calves died. The rHaa86 antigen was found efficacious to protect calves against more than 71.4-75.5% of the challenge infestation. The experiment has given a significant clue towards the development of rHaa86 based vaccine against both H. a. anatolicum and T. annulata.     

The host-parasite relationship in canine heartworm infection in a hyperendemic area of italy

From November 1990 to June 1991, 2273 Dirofilaria immitis were collected from 175 stray dogs euthanized in the province of Padua. The breed, sex, age and weight of each animal were noted. The worms were counted, sexed, differentiated as adults or fifth-stage larvae and weighed, and their length was measured.The host-parasite relationship in this epidemiological situation was characterized by a high prevalence (67%) together with a low intensity (19) and abundance (13). The frequency distribution of the parasites in the population of dogs followed a negative binomial pattern (K+0.3177), showing a good, stable host-parasite relationship. The major risk of infection was in late July and August, some new infections being established in October and, maybe, in November. The majority of dogs that acquired new infections were young animals, probably because of an immune response in older dogs. However, the prevalences increased (p<0.01) in dogs from 1 to 5 years old, in shepherd and hunting dogs compared to the other breeds, and in large as opposed to small dogs.Microfilaraemia (range 1–1 883 000/ml) correlated, as a trend, with the number of adult filariae, which also correlated with the age and the weight of the dogs (p0.01). No significant correlations were found between the length or weight of the adult filariae and the data from dogs.Abbreviations EDTA ethylenediaminetetracetic acid - L3, L4, L5 third-, fourth- and fifth-stage larvae respectively     

The Prevalence and Intensity of Helminth and Coccidial Infections in Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

A survey of gastrointestinal parasite infections of young (<6 months old), immature (6–12 months old) and adult (>12 months old) dairy cattle on 16 farms in Kiambu District, Kenya was conducted during a dry season (September 1991 to January 1992) and during a wet season (March to July 1992). The survey was based on monthly coproparasitological examination of cohorts and worm counts in tracer calves. The effects of age, sex, farm and season on the prevalence and intensity of helminth and coccidial infections were determined. Faecal egg and oocyst counts revealed that the overall prevalences were: strongyles (including trichostrongyles) (85.5%), liver flukes (Fasciola gigantica) (34.0%), coccidia (30.9%) and tapeworms (9.6%). Eight species of the protozoan Eimeria were identified, the most prevalent species being E. bovis and E. zuernii. The most prevalent nematode genera were Haemonchus, Cooperia, Oesophagostomum and Trichostrongylus. Season, farm and age of the animals had a significant (p<0.05) influence on the intensity of infection with strongyles, liver flukes and coccidia, whereas the sex of the animals had no significant (p>0.05) effect on the prevalence or intensity of infections. A higher intensity of infection with strongyles and coccidia was found in the wet season than in the dry season (p<0.05). The age-specific intensity was in the following order: for strongyles, immature animals of 6–12 months of age had the highest egg counts, followed by young calves and adults. Calves had significantly (p<0.05) higher oocyst counts than immatures or adults. Liver fluke egg counts did not differ significant (p>0.05) between immatures and adult cattle.     

Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum (Koch, 1844) as a possible vector for transmission of Trypanosoma theileri,Laveran, 1902 in cattle

Amastigotes, sphaeromastigotes, epimastigotes and trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma theileri, Laveran, 1902 have been observed in the nymphs and adults of Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum (Koch, 1844). These ticks were obtained from engorged larvae and nymphs collected from a cross-bred bull with detectable parasitaemia. Infection with T. theileri was established inoculation of Trypanosomatid flagellates collected from ticks and by feeding of the infected ticks on the ears of these calves.     

Seasonal Variation of Boophilus microplus (Canestrini, 1887) (Acari: Ixodidae) in Cattle in Minas Gerais State,Brazil

The seasonal variation of the tick Boophilus microplus in the `Regiaõ Metalúrgica' region of Minas Gerais state was studied using 26 Bos taurus (Holstein)×Bos indicus (Gir) calves, of which 16 animals were 3/4 Holstein×1/4 Gir and 10 were 3/4 Gir×1/4 Holstein. Monthly tick counts were made between March 1996 and March 1998 and, although B. microplus infestations occurred throughout the year, they were greater during the rainy season. Rainfall was the climatic factor that most affected the seasonal variation. The animals with a preponderance of Holstein blood presented infestations that were significantly (p<0.05) greater than those of the other cross. Five of the animals (19.2%) maintained 45.5% of the parasite load of the entire group.     

Efficacy of the Bm86 antigen against immature instars and adults of the dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae)

The Bm86 antigen has been used to control ticks of the Boophilus genera in integrated programs that also include the use of acaricides. Because of recent phylogenetic studies have lead to the inclusion of all Boophilus species within the Rhipicephalus genera, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of the Bm86 antigen on the biotic potential of Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Domestic dogs were vaccinated with Bm86 and challenged with the three instars of R. sanguineus. Male and female mongrel dogs were divided into two groups of four animals each, comprising non-vaccinated and vaccinated animals. Immunized dogs were given two doses of an experimental formulation containing 50 μg of recombinant Bm86, at 21 days interval while the other group was given placebo, consisting of the same preparation without Bm86. Each dog was challenged 21 days after the last dose with 250 larvae, 100 nymphs and 55 adults (25 females and 30 males) released inside feeding chambers (one per instar) glued to their shaved flank. The effect of the vaccination was evaluated by determining biological parameters of ticks including the yield rates of larvae, nymphs and adult females. Adult females engorged weight, egg mass weight, efficiency rate of conversion to eggs (ERCE) and hatchability. In addition, sera were collected from dogs at 0, 21, 36, 45 and 75 days after the vaccination and used for the detection of specific antibodies by ELISA. Collection rates of larvae, nymphs and adult females fed on vaccinated dogs were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by 38%, 29% and 31%, respectively, as compared with non-vaccinated controls. Significant reductions were also observed in weight of engorged females and egg mass, in ERCE, but not in the hatch rate of ticks fed on immunized dogs. ELISA data revealed a marked and significant increase in optical densities of sera from vaccinated animals after the second dose of Bm86. We concluded that the Bm86 antigen used as a vaccine for dogs reduced the viability and biotic potential of the R. sanguineus.     

Experiments on transmission of an unidentified Theileria sp. to small ruminants with Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis and Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum

Experiments on the transmission of an unidentified Theileria sp. infective for small ruminants by Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis and Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum were carried out. Three Theileria-free batches of adult, larvae, and nymphs of laboratory reared H. qinghaiensis and Hy. a. anatolicum ticks were infected by feeding them on sheep infected with Theileria sp. The Theileria sp. was originally isolated from adult ticks of H. qinghaiensis, by inoculation of blood stabilates or tick transmission. H. qinghaiensis has been shown to be capable of transmitting the Theileria sp. infective for small ruminants transstadially to sheep and goats. The nymphs developed from the larvae engorged on the sheep infected with the parasite transmitted the pathogen to splenectomized sheep with prepatent periods of 30, 31 days, respectively; but the subsequent adult ticks of H. qinghaiensis derived from the nymphs did not transmit the pathogen to sheep. However, adults developed from the nymphs engorged on the sheep infected with the parasite transmitted the pathogen to sheep with prepatent periods of 24-27 days. The larvae, nymphs and adult ticks derived from female H. qinghaiensis ticks engorged on infected sheep were not able to transmit the parasite transovarially. The same experiments were done with Hy. a. anatolicum, but examination for presence of piroplasma of Theileria sp. from all animals were negative, demonstrating that Hy. a. anatolicum could not transmit the organism to sheep or goats.     

Immunization of Crossbred Cattle (Bos indicus×Bos taurus) with Fractionated Midgut Antigens against Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum

Crossbred calves (Bos indicus×Bos taurus) were immunized with a fractionated midgut supernate antigen (GS-F Ag from Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum). The first inoculation on day 0 was given intramuscularly after emulsification with Freund's complete adjuvant; the second was given subcutaneously on day 14 in incomplete Freund's adjuvant; and the third on day 35 was given subcutaneously without adjuvant. Each injection comprised 1 mg of antigen protein. Ten days after the last inoculation, the immunized calves were challenged simultaneously with 1000 larvae and 20 pairs (20 males and 20 females) of adult H. a. anatolicum on one ear and a similar number of Hyalomma dromedarii ticks on the other ear. There was a significant decrease in the percentage larval engorgement and larval rejection of up to 34% on the immunized calves. A significant increase in the engorgement and preoviposition periods and a significant decrease in the engorged weight, egg mass weight and reproductive index were observed for adult female ticks when fed on the immunized calves. The GS-F Ag also induced a considerable degree of cross-protection in calves against H. dromedarii larval ticks.     

The production of nymphs ofHyalomma anatolicum anatolicum for experimental infection withTheileria annulata

Summary Methods are described for the production of nymphs ofHyalomma anatolicum anatolicum for later use in transmission experiments withTheileria annulata where the timing of the application of nymphs to infected cattle needs to be accurately controlled. Larvae are fed on the torsos of rabbits where approximately 98% undergo a two-host feeding cycle. This cycle is interrupted 2 days after the first larvae moult into nymphs by killing the rabbits and the nymphs are then collected with a suction pump. Nymphs produced by the interrupted larval feeding method feed well on cattle, in regard to timing of detachment and weight, compared with nymphs produced by interrupted feeding on rabbits

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La Produccion De Ninfas DeHyalomma Anatolicum Anatolicum Para La Infeccion Experimental ConTheileria Annulata

Resumen Se describen métodos para la producción de ninfas deHyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, para usarlas posteriormente en experimentos de transmisión deTheileria annulata, en donde el tiempo de aplicación de las ninfas en el ganado infectado necesita un control riguroso. Las larvas se alimentan en conejos en donde aproximadamente el 98% desarrolla un ciclo de alimentación de dos huéspedes. Este ciclo se interrumpe 2 días despues de la muda de las primeras larvas a ninfas, sacrificando los conejos y recogiendo las ninfas con una bomba de succión. Las ninfas producidas interrumpiendo el ciclo de alimentación de las larvas, se alimentan muy bien en ganado, en relación con el tiempo en que se desprenden y el peso, en comparación con las ninfas producidas interrumpiendo el ciclo de alimentación en conejos.

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Production De Nymphes DeHyalomma Anatolicum Anatolicum Pour L'Infection Experimentale AvecTheileria Annulata

Résumé Des méthodes sont décrites pour produire des nymphes deHyalomma anatolicum anatolicum destinées à des expériences ultérieures de transmission deTheileria annulata; expériences dans lesquelles le moment de l'application des nymphes sur du bétail infecté doit être contrôlé avec précision.Les larves sont nourries sur thorax de lapins et près de 98 p. 100 y poursuivent un cycle à deux hôtes. Deux jours après la transformation des premières larves en nymphes, le cycle est interrompu par sacrifice des lapins et les nymphes sont récoltées à l'aide d'une pompe aspirante.Les nymphes obtenues par interruption du repas larvaire se nourrissent bien sur le bétail, en comparaison de celles obtenues par repas interrompus sur lapins, compte tenu du moment du détachement et de leur poids.

     

A Seroprevalence Study of Camel Brucellosis in Three Camel-rearing Regions of Ethiopia

A cross-sectional investigation was made into the seroprevalence of brucellosis in camels in three arid and semi-arid camel-rearing regions of Ethiopia (Afar, Somali and Borena) between November 2000 and April 2001. When sera collected from 1442 accessible camels were screened with the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), 82 (5.7%) of them reacted. The results of a complement fixation test (CFT) on those sera that had given a positive reaction to the screening test then indicated a 4.2% prevalence of brucellosis in the tested camels. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of brucellosis (² = 7.91, p<0.05), which was highest in Afar (5.2%) followed by Somali (2.8%) and Borena (1.2%) regions. Camels in Afar had a four times higher risk of brucellosis with an odds ratio (OR) of 4.34 (confidence interval, CI = 1.76–10.72, p<0.001) compared to the risk in Borena. Likewise, Afar had higher risk (OR = 1.76, 1.13–2.74, p<0.05) than that in Somali. There was no significant difference in seroprevalence between the sexes (p>0.05). Although a higher prevalence (6.3%) was observed in camels over 3 years old in Afar, there was no significant overall age difference (p>0.05).     

Comparison between Comparative Tuberculin and Gamma-Interferon Tests for the Diagnosis of Bovine Tuberculosis in Ethiopia

A study to determine and compare the sensitivities and specificities of the comparative cervical tuberculin (CCT) and gamma-interferon (IFN-) tests for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis was conducted on 30 zebu oxen. The results of the tests were compared with the presence of acid-fast bacilli found by bacteriological culturing and histopathological examinations. The sensitivity and specificity of CCT test were found to be 90.9% and 100%, respectively. Those of the commercial IFN- test were determined to be 95.5% and 87.7%, respectively. No significant differences were found between the sensitivities (Yates' corrected ² = 0.32; p = 0.57) or the specificities (Yates' corrected ² = 2.54; p = 0.11) of the two tests. Furthermore, a positive correlation (r = 0.76) was recorded between the increase in skin thickness following injection of bovine purified protein derivative (PPD) and the optical density in the gamma-interferon assay with bovine PPD. On the other hand, the correlation (r = 0.47) between the change in skin thickness following injection of avian PPD and the optical density in the gamma-interferon assay with avian PPD was relatively weak. On the basis of this preliminary investigation, it was concluded that the choice between the two tests depends on their cost and simplicity and on livestock management and time factors rather than on their respective diagnostic value.     

A Comparative Study on the Oestrous Response to PGF2α Analogue Treatment,and Conception Rates According to Time of Artificial Insemination,in Zebu (Bos indicus) and Baoulé (Bos taurus) Cattle

The oestrous response, interval and conception rates were studied after synchronization with a prostaglandin analogue (cloprostenol) and artificial insemination (AI) performed at different times in 50 Zebu (Bos indicus) and 83 Baoulé (Bos taurus) cattle indigenous to Burkina Faso. The overall proportion of cows responding to synchronization was 70% (93/133). Although the response was higher for the Baoulé cattle, at 73.5% (61/83), than for the Zebu, at 64% (32/50), the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The mean oestrous interval from treatment to the onset of oestrus (TOI) was shorter in the Zebu (54.1 h, SD 6.7) than in Baoulé (65.2 h, SD 12.9) cattle (p<0.001). Of the Zebu (n = 32) that responded, 65.7% presented oestrus over a period of 12 h ranging from 48 h to 60 h after treatment. For the Baoulé cows, the highest proportion of animals in oestrus over a period of 12 h was 41% between 60 h and 72 h after treatment. The frequency distribution of onset of the oestrus indicated that up to 64.5% of the Zebu and 79.5% of the Baoulé cattle showed onset of oestrus during the daytime. For Zebu and Baoulé cows inseminated 13 h or 18 h after the onset of oestrus, conception rates were 56% and 57% (p>0.05) and 33% and 64% (p<0.05), respectively. Based on these findings, it appears that the oestrous response to synchronization was adequate for both Zebu and Baoulé cattle and that the time to onset of oestrus varied according to genotype. It was also concluded that conception rates were satisfactory for both genotypes but that, for Baoulé cattle, AI performed 18 h after oestrus significantly increased conception rates compared to AI at 13 h after oestrus.     

Dose-dependent Response to an Intratesticular Injection of Calcium Chloride for Induction of Chemosterilization in Adult Albino Rats

This study concerned the minimum and optimum effective doses of calcium chloride needed for induction of chemosterilization in male albino rats, 30 days after a single intratesticular injection of calcium chloride (CaCl₂.2H₂O) solution at 2.5, 5, 10 or 20 mg per 100 g body weight per testis. There was a significant diminution in the relative wet weight of the sex organs (p<0.01), epididymal sperm count (p<0.001), plasma concentration of testosterone (p<0.01), testicular activities of D,3-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (D,3-HSD), 17-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (17-HSD) (p<0.01), glutathione S-transferase (GST) (p<0.01), superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p<0.01), and peroxidase (p<0.01), significant elevations in testicular content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and conjugated dienes (p<0.01), along with derangement of seminiferous tubular architecture and degeneration of the Leydig cells in the testis and elevations in the concentrations in the plasma of LH and FSH (p<0.01), commencing at a dose of 5 mg, with the greatest effects at a dose of 20 mg. No significant alterations in these factors occurred at the dose of 2.5 mg in comparison to the control that received only the vehicle. There was no significant alteration in the plasma concentrations of prolactin (p>0.05), corticosterone (p>0.05) or fasting blood glucose or in the rectal temperature (p>0.05) at any of the doses relative to the control group, suggesting that this chemosterilizing procedure did not exert any chronic stress on the experimental animals. From these observations, it may be suggested that 5 mg should be considered as the minimum dose, and 10 mg or 20 mg as the optimum dose, whereas 2.5 mg was ineffective for induction of chemosterilization. There would seem to be little point in using more than 20 mg of calcium chloride for this purpose. Intratesticular injection of calcium chloride at an effective dose may be considered as an alternative to surgical castration.     

The Effect of Providing Feed Supplementation and Anthelmintic to Donkeys during Late Pregnancy and Lactation on Live Weight and Survival of Dams and Their Foals in Central Ethiopia

Anthelmintic treatment (A), feed supplementation (F), anthelmintic and feed supplementation (A + F) or traditional management (Control) was given to 166 pregnant female donkeys in three localities (Holetta, Debre Zeit and Adami Tulu) in Ethiopia during an on-farm study. Treatments started during the last trimester of pregnancy and continued until 6 months after parturition when the foals were weaned. The same treatments were administered to foals once they reached 1 month of age. Live weights of adults and foals were measured throughout the study along with work output of adult donkeys and survival to weaning of the foals. Faecal worm egg counts (FEC) and blood packed cell volumes (PCV) were recorded monthly. When applied alone, anthelmintic treatment (A) or feed supplementation (F) had no significant effect on live weight gain or foal survival. However, when combined, anthelmintic and feed supplementation (A + F) significantly (p < 0.05) improved both live weight gain in adults and foals and foal survival. Workout was not affected by any of the treatments. Treatments A and A+F resulted in a highly significant (p<0.001) reduction in FEC in all three localities during the course of study and for at least 6 months after the last dose of anthelmintic in one of the study areas (Holetta). None of the treatments had any significant effect on PCV. Donkey owners in Ethiopia should be encouraged to adopt both anthelmintic treatment and feed supplementation if they expect tangible benefits in animal performance.     

Infectivity rate and transmission potential of Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum ticks for Babesia equi infection

The infectivity rate of Babesia equi in the salivary glands of Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum was assessed. The hungry nymphs were fed on a donkey experimentally infected with B. equi. The engorged dropped-off nymphs were collected at different levels of parasitaemia and kept in BOD incubator. After ecdysis, the hungry adults were prefed on rabbits for different time intervals, thereafter the salivary glands were dissected out and acini were examined after methyl green pyronin (MGP) staining. A total of 134 male and 139 female ticks were dissected out. Average infected acini per tick were found to be significantly higher (p<0.05) in male as compared to the female ticks. Further, maximum infected acini in both male and female ticks were found at 24h of prefeeding on rabbits and overall infected acini per tick increased with rise in parasitaemia. The release of infected ticks on susceptible donkeys resulted in development of clinical babesiosis.     

The influence of Trypanosoma congolense infection on the disposition kinetics of diminazene aceturate in the dog

Diminazene aceturate was administered intravenously at 3.5 mg/kg body weight to mongrel dogs before and after infection with Trypanosoma congolense. Plasma and urine were collected at varying intervals thereafter and analysed for the compound. The mean are under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of diminazene in healthy dogs was 25.8 h.g/ml but was significantly increased (p<0.05) to 35.7 h.g/ml after infection with T. congolense. The distribution half-life was significantly reduced (p<0.05) in dogs after infection, being 0.12 h compared to 0.17 h in the same dogs before infection. The mean proportion of the diminazene recovered in the urine of infected dogs (25.1%) was not significantly different from that recovered in the urine of healthy dogs (26.8%). These results indicate that infection with T. congolense increases the rate at which diminazene is distributed in the body but that the infection has no marked influence on the urinary excretion of the drug.     

Sero-prevalences of selected cattle diseases in the Kafue flats of Zambia

Sera from five traditionally managed herds grazing in the Kafue flats were tested for antibodies to bovine viral diarrhoea-mucosal disease (BVD-MD), parainfluenza 3 (PI3), infectious bovine rhinotracheitis-infectious pustular vulvovaginitis (IBR-IPV), bovine adenovirus 3 (BAV3) and Bluetongue (BT). The sero-prevalences of the first four diseases were respectively 76.2, 94.4, 42.1 and 87.4%. Five samples (2.3%) gave doubtful reactions for BT. Prevalences of 28.5% for brucellosis, 14% for Rift Valley fever (RFV), 0.9% for Q fever and 11.2% for chlamydiosis were also recorded. Significantly higher values for BVD-MD (p<0.005), IBR-IPV (p<0.01) and brucellosis (p<0.05) were found in animals over 1 year of age. No differences were recorded between herds or between male and female animals.The high concentration of wild and domestic ruminants grazing together in the flood plains during the dry season may be a major determinant of the high values observed. Traditional farmers, slaughterhouse workers and other people involved in livestock production are particularly at risk of contracting brucellosis and RVF because of the high prevalences in cattle and local habits favourable to their transmission.