Increased activity of bovine ADCC effector cells during acute Babesia bovis infection.

Mononuclear effector cells from the peripheral blood of Babesia bovis-infected cattle responded during initial infection and destroyed Fc-bearing target cells. The activity of these cells was measured in an antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay utilizing chicken erythrocytes coated with bovine anti-chicken erythrocyte antibody as targets. The activity of these effector cells was enhanced during the parasitemic crisis and returned to normal levels of activity following the resolution of parasitemia. This suggests that ADCC mechanisms may be involved in resolution of infection of cattle with B. bovis.