Babesia bovis and B. bigemina: Persistence of infection in friesian cows following vaccination with live antibabesial vaccines

The persistence of Babesia bovis and B. bigemina infection in Friesian cows, following vaccination with attenuated live vaccines, was assessed by subinoculation of blood into splenectomized calves. Subinoculation tests showed that B. bigemina persisted in two out of 20 cows vaccinated 10 and 46 months previously, and that B. bovis persisted in 11 out of 22 cows vaccinated 10 to 47 months previously. Antibody was detected in five B. bigemina - and 15B. bovis -vaccinated cows. Parasites of both species persisted among the serologically negative cows, whereas blood obtained from serologically positive cows failed to transmit infection. It is concluded that in the absence of reinfection Friesian cattle may spontaneously eliminate B. bigemina and B. bovis infection after various periods following vaccination.