Antibody response and duration of latent infection in sheep following experimental infection with Babesia ovis.
Babesia ovis isolated in Extremadura (Spain) was the subject of a serological study in experimentally inoculated sheep. The first antibody titres, determined by the indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test, were observed 7-8 days post infection (p.i.) in all animals except the splenectomized group, in which the only animal that survived showed antibody response 10 days p.i. A faster response following challenge was observed in sheep which were seropositive before inoculation, which suggests the existence of an antigen memory. The highest titres were reached 16-25 days p.i., and subsequently began to fall, reaching minima at the end of the experimental period (330 days p.i.). The chronic carrier state in experimental B. ovis infection had a duration of at least 2 years. Passive transmission of antibodies from experimentally infected mothers to newborn lambs was also detected. Antibody levels were observed for a period not longer than 2 months after birth.
Department of Animal Health and Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Cáceres, Spain.
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Habela
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Reina
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Nieto
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Navarrete
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D001403:Babesia / Q000276:immunology*; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D013156:Splenectomy
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan