Development of conventional subunit vaccines for anaplasmosis and babesiosis

Tick-borne hemoparasitic diseases of cattle continue to impact the beef industry throughout a large portion of the world. A substantial amount of research is currently focused on development of improved vaccines. The two main approaches being followed are: (1) use of conventional inactivated or native protein subunit vaccines, and (2) development of recombinant DNA technology for expression of selected immunogens. Recombinant or synthetic peptide based vaccines hold promise owing to the exquisitely defined nature of the product. However, the development is long-term, and will require extensive testing and risk assessment before field trials can be considered. Until then, more conventional subunit immunogens may offer an attractive alternative, and can be defined immunologically better than before. This paper reviews progress in the development of improved vaccines for anaplasmosis and babesiosis with an emphasis on the characterization of culture-derived babesial exoantigens. Both in vitro and in vivo information is presented.