Transmission of Theileria buffeli to cattle by Haemaphysalis bancrofti fed on artificially infected mice

Abstract

Larval and nymphal Haemaphysalis bancrofti became infected with Theileria buffeli following the intraperitoneal inoculation of infected bovine blood into CBA mice on which they were feeding. Subsequent instars of fed ticks were released on calves and transmitted theileriosis at each of 10 attempts. Suspensions made from ticks moulted in vitro and then incubated for 4 days at 37 degrees C were also infective for calves inoculated subcutaneously. The findings provide a convenient method for infecting ticks with field isolates of Theileria.