The isolation of Theileria? taurotragi in South Africa

Abstract

In 3 out of 4 attempts strains of a Theileria sp. of low virulence were isolated in the laboratory by feeding adult Rhipicephalus appendiculatus collected from the field on susceptible cattle. One of the strains, previously identified as Theileria? taurotragi (Tzaneen), was found to be serologically cross-reactive with the other 2 strains. It was concluded that T.? taurotragi is prevalent in South Africa in those parts where the vector exists. Infection was characterized by a transient fever and small numbers of macroschizonts and piroplasms. Subinoculation of the infection with small volumes of blood proved to be difficult.