Human interferon alpha fails to inhibit the development of Babesia bigemina and Anaplasma marginale infections in cattle.

Studies were undertaken to determine whether human interferon alpha (HuIFN-alpha) administered orally could inhibit the development of clinical disease caused by the intraerythrocytic protozoan Babesia bigemina and the intraerythrocytic rickettsia Anaplasma marginale in cattle. HuIFN-alpha did not inhibit intraerythrocytic multiplication of either of the two parasites, suggesting that there is no role for HuIFN-alpha administered orally in the control of these pathogens.