Failure of a recombinant Babesia bovis antigen to protect cattle against heterologous strain challenge

Groups of cattle were inoculated subcutaneously with (i) a recombinant DNA-derived Babesia bovis protein (KaBbl-GZ) fused to beta-galactosidase and combined with adjuvants, or (ii) native beta-galactosidase (GZ) plus adjuvant, or (iii) adjuvant only or (iv) a live, attenuated B bovis vaccine. KaBbl-GZ was produced in the lambda gt11-amp3 system as a 5-10 kD babesial polypeptide linked to GZ. KaBbl has previously been shown to be an immunodominant antigen of B bovis, localised at the apex of the parasite, and present in a range of B bovis strains. High levels of GZ antibodies were observed in KaBbl-GZ and GZ inoculated cattle, but specific KaBbl antibodies could not be detected by ELISA. Five months after primary inoculation, all cattle were blood challenged with a virulent heterologous B bovis strain. Despite four inoculations with KaBbl-GZ, significant protection against the challenge was not observed.