ISOLATION OF BABESIA-BIGEMINA AND BABESIA-BOVIS MEROZOITES BY AMMONIUM-CHLORIDE LYSIS OF INFECTED ERYTHROCYTES

1. We describe the isolation of viable merozoites from erythrocytes in fected with Babesia bovis or Babesia bigemina organisms by ammonium ch loride lysis. 2. Parasite morphology was examined by both light and tr ansmission electron microscopy. Erythrocyte-free parasites maintain th eir viability and infectivity, retain their antigenicity and are suita ble for use in the indirect fluorescent antibody assay.