Comparative infection rates of Theileria parva lawrencei in salivary glands of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Rhipicephalus zambeziensis

Abstract

Three cattle, which had been experimentally infected with Theileria parva lawrencei and maintained as carriers of the infection, were each infested simultaneously with clean nymphal Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Rhipicephalus zambeziensis in ear bags on separate ears. After moulting, the ensuing adult ticks were fed on rabbits for 4 days and their salivary glands were examined for infective stages of the parasite. Microscopic examination revealed significantly higher infection rates in the salivary glands of R. zambeziensis than in R. appendiculatus which may indicate an increased vector efficiency of R. zambeziensis for T. p. lawrencei.