Attempted transmission of Anaplasma marginale by infected Boophilus microplus

The occurrence of transovarian transmission of Anaplasma marginale in Boophilus microplus females showing rickettsia colonies in the midgut epithelial cells was investigated. Larvae originated from female ticks with A. marginale colonies in midgut epithelial cells were used to infest one adult bovine, free from hemoparasite infections. The animal was monitored daily by blood smear examination and body temperature, and weekly by serology (Dot-ELISA). The bovine did not show development of anaplasmosis until day 80, when the experiment was terminated. The pre-oviposition period, the oviposition and the parasitic phase of A. marginale infected ticks were similar to hemoparasite free ticks.