A STUDY OF AUTOANTIBODIES TO PHOSPHATIDYL-SERINE IN BABESIA-BOVIS ANDBABESIA-BIGEMINA INFECTIONS IN CATTLE

Sera from cattle infected with Babesia bovis were found to contain ant ibodies to phosphatidyl-serine (PS), a negatively charged phospholipid normally found on the internal membrane of erythrocytes. In contrast, no autoantibodies were detected following Babesia bigemina infection indicating that the autoimmunity is not genus specific. During infecti on with Babesia bovis, PS translocates to the external membrane and it is suggested that this may result in PS behaving as an autoantigen ow ing to a transitional change. These autoantibodies may also play some role in the pathology of infection, especially the disturbed coagulati on system associated with acute Babesia bovis infection.