SUCCESSFUL VACCINATION AGAINST BOOPHILUS-MICROPLUS AND BABESIA-BOVIS USING RECOMBINANT ANTIGENS

Current methods for the control of the cattle tick Boophilus microplus and the agent of bovine babesiosis, Babesia bovis are unsatisfactory. Effective immunological control of both parasites would have great ad vantages. However, naturally acquired immunity to the lick is generall y unable to prevent serious production losses. A vaccine against the t ick, based on a novel form of immunization, is being developed. A prot ective antigen has been isolated from the tick, characterized and prod uced as an effective, recombinant protein. A vaccine incorporating thi s antigen is currently undergoing field trials. In the Australian situ ation, improved tick control will probably increase endemic instabilit y with respect to B. bovis. Fortunately, a trivalent, recombinant B. b ovis vaccine has also been developed This too is now undergoing pre-re gistration field trials.