NONIMMUNOLOGICAL METHODS OF DIAGNOSIS OF BABESIOSIS

The diagnosis of lick-borne diseases such as babesiosis still depends on observing the parasite in the infected erythrocyte. Microscopic obs ervation is tedious and often problematic in both early and carrier in fections. Better diagnostic methods are needed to prevent clinical dis ease, especially when susceptible cattle are being moved into disease enzootic areas. This study evaluates two techniques for early diagnosi s of Babesia bovis infections in cattle, DNA probes specific for the o rganism and fluorescent probes specific for nucleic acid. The radioiso topically labeled DNA probes are used in slot blot hybridizations with lysed blood samples, not purified DNA. Thusfar, the probe is specific for B. bovis and can detect as few as 1000 B. bovis parasites in 10 m ul of blood. The specificity of the fluorescent probe depends on the c haracteristic morphology of the babesia in whole blood samples, as det ermined microscopically. The fluorescent probe detects as few as 10,00 0 B. bovis parasites in 10 mul os blood. The application of each metho d for laboratory and field use is discussed.