The transstadial transmission of Babesia caballi by Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi

Onderstepoort J Vet Res. 1987 Dec;54(4):655-6.

Abstract

Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi larvae were fed on the ears of rabbits. Seven days after larval infestation, unfed, newly moulted nymphae were manually removed to infest a splenectomized donkey showing a patent Babesia caballi infection. Engorged nymphae were collected from the donkey and the ensuing adult ticks were placed on a susceptible horse. The horse contracted a B. caballi infection showing a prepatent period of 19 days after tick infestation. A very low parasitaemia, (highest score 2), which was patent for only 10 days, was recorded. The lowest packed cell volume recorded was 16%.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Babesiosis / transmission*
  • Horse Diseases / transmission*
  • Horses
  • Insect Vectors*
  • Nymph
  • Perissodactyla
  • Rabbits
  • Ticks*