The isolation and characterization of aBabesiafrom red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Abstract

SummaryOn three occasions, antibody positive blood from wild red deer produced overt infections withBabesiawhen inoculated into splenecto-mized red deer. One of the deer also became infected withEperythrozoonsp.Babesia divergens, B. capreoliand theBabesiaof red deer are morphologically similar and the marginal position of the parasites in the host cell is characteristic.Babesiawere not seen and no antibody was formed in five out of six splenectomized bovine calves which were injected with parasitaemic red deer blood. Two of these calves when challenged withB. divergenswere fully susceptible. A transient infection with the deerBabesiamay have occurred in the sixth calf since antibody was detected and the animal resisted challenge withB. divergens.In indirect fluorescent antibody tests there was little or no difference in the titre of sera from naturally or experimentally infected cattle and deer when reacted withB. divergensor the red deerBabesiaantigens. Despite their similarities, specific status forB. divergensand the red deerBabesiais probably justified; at present there is insufficient evidence to justify separation of the red deerBabesiafromB. capreoli.