Babesia major in Britain: Tick Transmitted Infections in Splenectomised Calves

Abstract

Summary Ticks (Haemaphysalis punctata), collected from vegetation in Kent and Essex, transmitted Babesia major to splenectomised calves. Trans-ovarial transmission was demonstrated and uymphal ticks, that moulted from the engorged infected larvae, also transmitted the parasite: the infection did not persist any longer in the ticks derived from the field collection. Ten splenectomised calves were infected by means of ticks and the infections produced were relatively mild. Maximum parasite counts varied from