Transmission of Theileria parva bovis (Boleni strain) to cattle resistant to the brown ear tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (Neumann).

Four crossbred Bos taurus oxen resistant to Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and three tick naive oxen of the same breed, which were all infested with adult R. appendiculatus infected with the Boleni strain of Theileria parva bovis, acquired Theileria infection. All four tick resistant oxen recovered after a mild febrile reaction. Two of the tick naive oxen died while the third recovered after a protracted period. It is suggested that tick resistance in cattle may be an important factor in establishing and maintaining enzootic stability in Theileria endemic areas.