Studies on a bovine Babesia transmitted by Hyalomma marginatum rufipes Koch, 1844. 1981

J S Gray, and A J De Vos

A Babesia sp. was recently observed in Hyalomma marginatum rufipes and found to be transmissible to bovines. Further observations were carried out on this parasite and a study made of the morphology of stages in both erythrocytes and tick haemolymph. Apart from Babesia divergens, intra-erythrocytic parasites were not readily distinguishable from bovine Babesia spp. Merozoites in tick haemolymph morphologically resembled those of Babesia bigemina, but they were significantly larger. This Babesia sp. proved to be highly infective for adult H. m. rufipes, with transmission taking place transovarially and next generation nymphae and adults transmitting the infection. Features of the infection were its very low pathogenicity, even in splenectomized animals, and the tendency of parasitized erythrocytes to accumulate in capillaries. Serologically, this species could be differentiated from babesia bigemina, B. divergens, B. bovis and B. major. A serological survey of 25 farms showed a wide distribution of this species in south Africa and its high rate of transmission on most properties. It was concluded that this is a true but hitherto undescribed bovine Babesia sp. and the name Babesia occultans n. sp. is proposed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D002417 Cattle Domesticated bovine animals of the genus Bos, usually kept on a farm or ranch and used for the production of meat or dairy products or for heavy labor. Beef Cow,Bos grunniens,Bos indicus,Bos indicus Cattle,Bos taurus,Cow,Cow, Domestic,Dairy Cow,Holstein Cow,Indicine Cattle,Taurine Cattle,Taurus Cattle,Yak,Zebu,Beef Cows,Bos indicus Cattles,Cattle, Bos indicus,Cattle, Indicine,Cattle, Taurine,Cattle, Taurus,Cattles, Bos indicus,Cattles, Indicine,Cattles, Taurine,Cattles, Taurus,Cow, Beef,Cow, Dairy,Cow, Holstein,Cows,Dairy Cows,Domestic Cow,Domestic Cows,Indicine Cattles,Taurine Cattles,Taurus Cattles,Yaks,Zebus
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001096 Arachnid Vectors Members of the class Arachnida, especially SPIDERS; SCORPIONS; MITES; and TICKS; which transmit infective organisms from one host to another or from an inanimate reservoir to an animate host. Arachnid Vector,Vector, Arachnid,Vectors, Arachnid
D001403 Babesia A genus of tick-borne protozoan parasites that infests the red blood cells of mammals, including humans. There are many recognized species, and the distribution is world-wide. Piroplasma,Babesias,Piroplasmas
D001404 Babesiosis A group of tick-borne diseases of mammals including ZOONOSES in humans. They are caused by protozoa of the genus BABESIA, which parasitize erythrocytes, producing hemolysis. In the U.S., the organism's natural host is mice and transmission is by the deer tick IXODES SCAPULARIS. Babesiasis,Piroplasmosis,Babesia Infection,Babesia Parasite Infection,Human Babesiosis,Babesia Infections,Babesia Parasite Infections,Babesiases,Babesioses,Babesioses, Human,Babesiosis, Human,Human Babesioses,Infection, Babesia,Infection, Babesia Parasite,Infections, Babesia,Infections, Babesia Parasite,Piroplasmoses
D012699 Serology The study of serum, especially of antigen-antibody reactions in vitro.
D013987 Ticks Blood-sucking acarid parasites of the order Ixodida comprising two families: the softbacked ticks (ARGASIDAE) and hardbacked ticks (IXODIDAE). Ticks are larger than their relatives, the MITES. They penetrate the skin of their host by means of highly specialized, hooked mouth parts and feed on its blood. Ticks attack all groups of terrestrial vertebrates. In humans they are responsible for many TICK-BORNE DISEASES, including the transmission of ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER; TULAREMIA; BABESIOSIS; AFRICAN SWINE FEVER; and RELAPSING FEVER. (From Barnes, Invertebrate Zoology, 5th ed, pp543-44) Ixodida,Ixodidas,Tick

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