Serological response of cattle to infection with Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis in southern Africa.

The indirect fluorescent antibody test was used to measure the antibody response of cattle for 8 weeks after infection with either Babesia bigemina or Babesia bovis, or a combination of both species. Serological cross-reactions were observed between the 2 species, but these were most marked when B. bigemina antigen was used. In animals infected with both Babesia spp., the B. bigemina reaction appeared to suppress the B. bovis reaction.