Studies on Colostral Antibodies to Theileria Parva using the Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test

Abstract

At the time of calving, 2 of 10 Theileria parva-immune cattle had significant serum titres [1:40] to T. parva schizont antigen, but none had titres to T. parva piroplasm antigen. In contrast, colostrum from 8 of these cows had significant levels of antibodies to T. parva schizont antigen [1:40 to 1:640] and colostrum from 7 had significant levels to T. parva piroplasm antigen [1:640-1:2560]. Following ingestion of colostrum, 2 of the calves born to these cows showed significant rises in serum antibody titre to T. parva schizont antigen [1:40] and 1 showed a rise to T. parva piroplasm antigen [1:2560].