The use of Fluorescent Antibody Techniques to Detect Theileria Parva in the Salivary Glands of the Tick Rhipicephalus Appendiculatus

Abstract

Nymphal Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks were experimentally infected with Theileria parva. Developing stages of the parasite were subsequently detected in the salivary glands of the resultant adult ticks using direct and indirect fluorescent antibody techniques. It was found that the indirect method used was more sensitive than the direct methods, probably because of difficulties in preparing a direct conjugate of sufficient activity against the tick stages of the parasite.