Résumé
Babesia divergens is a protozoan blood parasite, transmitted by ixodid ticks, which infects cattle as the natural host in endemic areas. A recombinant vaccine based on the merozoite surface protein Bd37 against bovine babesiosis has been developed and tested under field conditions. In the study 111 cattle were randomly divided into a vaccine group and a control group. The animals were studied over the pasture period to assess efficacy and compatibility of this vaccine. Monthly blood samples were taken and the titers of specific antibodies were measured using an enzyme-linked-immuno-sorbent-assay (ELISA). Clinical infections were monitored over the observation period. A significant difference concerning development of specific antibodies between animals of the vaccine group and the control group was found, no adverse reactions caused by the vaccine were observed. No clinical disease occurred in the vaccine group. In the control group one animal showed clinical signs of babesiosis which was confirmed by laboratory diagnostic investigations.