Stage-specific antigenicity in Theileria annulata: a case report

Blood from sick cattle in Bahrain transmitted piroplasms of Theileria annulata to a splenectomized calf. Larvae of Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum were infected on the calf and, after moulting, induced clinical theileriosis, associated with numerous schizonts, in the same calf. The animal was cured by specific treatment. Antigenic differences thus shown between piroplasms on the one hand, and sporozoites and schizonts on the other hand, were confirmed in the indirect fluorescent antibody test, as a significant titre to T. annulata piroplasm antigen developed after the inoculation of blood, but to schizont antigen only after the infective ticks had induced the appearance of schizonts.