Development of a Babesia rodhaini mouse assay for quality control of the serum component of a bovine babesiosis vaccine.

The rodent babesia, Babesia rodhaini, survived equally well in basal medium containing either 10 per cent rat serum or 10 per cent bovine serum. As a result, a B rodhaini mouse assay is now performed routinely to determine the suitability of batches of bovine serum for use in a commercial Babesia bovis vaccine issued in Australia. Heat inactivation of bovine serum at 56 degrees C for two hours did not affect the survival of either B bovis or B rodhaini.