Eperythrozoon teganodes sp.nov. (Rickettsiales), parasitic in cattle

Abstract

Eperythrozoon teganodes is described from the blood of cattle. It is compared with, and is shown to be distinct from, E. wenyoni Adler & Ellenbogen, 1934. E. teganodes is a parasite of the plasma rather than of the erythrocyte. It occurs as fine rods and threads, rings, and rings with a rod or thread attached. (E. wenyoni adheres to the edge and the face of the erythrocyte, appearing as densely staining coccoids and faintly staining disks.) It is suggested that some highly polymorphic species of Eperythrozoon may prove to be a mixture of two or more species.I wish to thank Professor J. F. A. Sprent for his advice and for criticizing the manuscript, and Messrs J. Ballantyne, C. Boel and F. Mellis for technical assistance. The photographs were taken by Mr E. Hollywood of the Photographic Department of the University of Queensland. I am grateful to Dr D. W. Brocklesby for allowing me to examine his material. This work was aided by facilities and funds provided by the Rural Credits Fund of the Reserve Bank of Australia, and by the Queensland Dairymen's Organization.