Serological comparison of strains of Babesia bovis occurring in Australia and Mozambique.

An antigen prepared in Australia and antisera collected from cattle having had field infections of babesiosis were taken to Mozambique for a serological comparison of strains of babesia bovis from the 2 countries. The reactivity of antisera collected in Mozambique against the Australian antigen was similar to that of the imported antisera. This suggested a close serological relationship between b. bovis of the 2 countries. The practical implication of this finding is that Australian vaccine should protect cattle being introduced into southern Africa from B. bovis-free environments.