| Abstract: | Twenty-four yearling Hereford (Bos taurus) cattle were vaccinated against Babesia bovis using either live parasites or non-living antigens obtained from the supernatant of in vitro cultures. A single dose of live parasites was given subcutaneously, while the non-living supernatant antigen (NLSA) was combined with saponin and 2 doses given, 2 weeks apart. Following vaccination with live parasites, serum antibodies remained at high levels for 6 months, but the lymphocyte transformation response was low and lasted only 10-18 days. In contrast, NLSA vaccination was followed, after 21-28 days, by a peak of serum antibodies which then slowly declined. The lymphocyte transformation response in these animals was much higher and persisted for 6 months. Following heterologous challenge all unvaccinated cattle had severe reactions and required treatment to prevent death. Cattle vaccinated with live parasites had mild reactions with only 1 of the 12 requiring treatment. Cattle vaccinated with NLSA were only partially protected and 6 of the 12 required treatment. |
