Attenuated strains of Babesia bovis and B. bigemina and a strain of Anaplasma centrale were evaluated as immunogens against tick-borne disease. The immunization process was shown to be inocuous, immunogenic and efficient to protect cattle, at least against the babesias. Vaccinated animals proved to be protected when naturally challenged with heterologous and virulent strains, in contrast to control animals that showed clinical symptoms of the disease and had to be treated. The Anaplasma marginale challenge was not efficient since treatment was not necessary in the control animals, therefore it was not possible to conclude that immunization with A. centrale protected animals against anaplasmosis.
tick-borne disease; babesiosis; anaplasmosis; vaccine; immunisation
