Immunization of cattle against East Coast fever using Theileria parva (Marikebuni) and relaxation of tick control in North Rift, Kenya.
A total of 90 animals was immunized against East Coast fever (ECF) using Theileria parva (Marikebuni) stock on three large-scale farms in Kiminini Division, Trans-Nzoia District, North Rift, Kenya. Another 90 cattle served as non-immunized controls. Following immunization the number of cattle with significant indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) titres increased from 43.9% to 84.4% and 6.7% of the cattle developed clinical ECF reactions. Two months after immunization, the immunized and non-immunized cattle were divided into two groups one of which was dipped every 3 weeks and the other dipped when total full body tick counts reached 100. All the animals were monitored for 51 weeks for incidences of ECF and other tick-borne diseases. Twenty-four cases of ECF were diagnosed among the non-immunized cattle compared to four cases among the immunized cattle; a difference that was significant (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidences of babesiosis and anaplasmosis between the immunized and non-immunized cattle.
Wanjohi
J M
JM
Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, National Veterinary Research Centre Muguga, Kikuyu.
Ngeranwa
J N
JN
Rumberia
R M
RM
Muraguri
G R
GR
Mbogo
S K
SK
D000712:Anaplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D002417:Cattle; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D007114:Immunization / Q000662:veterinary*; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D011897:Random Allocation; D016797:Theileria parva / Q000276:immunology*; D013801:Theileriasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013983:Tick Control / Q000379:methods; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D013997:Time Factors
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan