title: Isolation of a South African vector-specific strain of Babesia canis.
abstract: A South African strain of Babesia canis parasites was isolated and shown to be vector-specific to only one of the two vectors in the region, Haemaphysalis leachi. This tick was found to transmit the parasite in its adult instar. When infected as larvae, the ticks would not transmit in the proceeding nymphal instar. The vector-specific strain was named the 'Thomas strain' after one of the dogs involved in isolating it. A survey revealed a prevalence of > 50% of this strain in four widely separated areas of the country. Rhipicephalus sanguineus, which transmits B. canis vogeli elsewhere, has not been shown to be a vector of the South African strain of B. canis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Penzhorn
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Lopez-Rebollar
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: De Waal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001096:Arachnid Vectors; D001403:Babesia / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000635:transmission*; D004285:Dogs; D007814:Larva; D013019:South Africa; D013045:Species Specificity; D013984:Tick Infestations; D013987:Ticks / Q000145:classification / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000502:physiology