Variations in numbers of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (Acari: Ixodidae) tick populations feeding on cattle infected with Theileria parva parva (Apicomplexa: Theileridae) parasites

摘要

A study was undertaken to examine the ability of different individuals of a selected cattle breed to sustain Theileria porvo parva infection and high tick infestation, This was done by determining piroplasm ievels of T. p. parva in the blood of infected susceptible Bos taurus cattle. The life span of individual cattle infected with different strains of T. p. parva and the size of various Rhipicephalus appendiculatus tick populations to engorge on the infected cattle was assessed. Eight steers of European breed, (Bos taurus type), previously shown to be negative for antibodies against T. parva showed significant differences in their ability to sustain different T. p. parva strain infections. Significant differences in numbers of ticks which completed feeding were demonstrated in the different tick populations. However, no difference was recorded in the numbers of ticks which completed feeding on cattle infected with the different strains of the parasite.