The specific immunoglobulin response in cattle to Theileria parva (Muguga) infection.

Cattle were inoculated with dilutions of Theileria parva (Muguga) stabilate without concurrent antibiotic treatment. The dilutions were selected to induce severe East Coast fever infections, which in some cases would lead to death. Serum samples were collected and the complement fixation (CF), indirect haemagglutination (IHA) and indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) tests were used to detect T. parva serum antibodies. Sera were fractionated on Sephadex G200 to determine the activities of specific immunoglobulin fractions. Sequential production of IgM antibody followed by 7SIg antibody was demonstrated by the IHA and CF tests. All IFA activity was restricted to the 7SIg fraction. Serologic reactions in the IHA test were detected as early as 4 days after inoculation of the stabilate, CF activity after 8 days and IFA activity after 21 days.