Immunization of cattle against East Coast fever using Theileria parva (Marikebuni) and relaxation of tick control in North Rift, Kenya

Onderstepoort J Vet Res. 2001 Sep;68(3):217-23.

Abstract

A total of 90 animals was immunized against East Coast fever (ECF) using Theileria parva (Marikebuni) stock on three large-scale farms in Kiminini Division, Trans-Nzoia District, North Rift, Kenya. Another 90 cattle served as non-immunized controls. Following immunization the number of cattle with significant indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) titres increased from 43.9% to 84.4% and 6.7% of the cattle developed clinical ECF reactions. Two months after immunization, the immunized and non-immunized cattle were divided into two groups one of which was dipped every 3 weeks and the other dipped when total full body tick counts reached 100. All the animals were monitored for 51 weeks for incidences of ECF and other tick-borne diseases. Twenty-four cases of ECF were diagnosed among the non-immunized cattle compared to four cases among the immunized cattle; a difference that was significant (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidences of babesiosis and anaplasmosis between the immunized and non-immunized cattle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anaplasmosis / epidemiology
  • Anaplasmosis / prevention & control
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Babesiosis / epidemiology
  • Babesiosis / prevention & control
  • Babesiosis / veterinary
  • Cattle
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / methods
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / veterinary
  • Immunization / veterinary*
  • Kenya / epidemiology
  • Random Allocation
  • Theileria parva / immunology*
  • Theileriasis / epidemiology
  • Theileriasis / immunology
  • Theileriasis / prevention & control*
  • Tick Control / methods
  • Tick Infestations / epidemiology
  • Tick Infestations / prevention & control
  • Tick Infestations / veterinary
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antibodies, Protozoan