Location: Animal Disease Research Unit
Project Number: 2090-32000-044-001-A
Project Type: Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Dec 1, 2025
End Date: Apr 30, 2026
Objective:
The objective of this research initiative is to address the growing threat of theileriosis and babesiosis in U.S. livestock through the development of improved diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive tools. These tick-borne diseases continue to cause significant economic losses in cattle and horses due to morbidity, mortality, and, in the case of equines, restrictions on international movement. Recent developments—such as the emergence of Theileria orientalis in the U.S., the discovery of the novel equine parasite Theileria haneyi, the ineffectiveness of imidocarb dipropionate against T. haneyi, and the ongoing risk of bovine babesiosis reintroduction via cross-border cattle movement and re-emerging tick vectors—underscore the urgent need for a coordinated research response. This project aims to develop sensitive and specific diagnostic assays, evaluate existing and experimental treatments, and identify novel targets for vaccine development, thereby mitigating the impact of these pathogens on U.S. livestock health and the agricultural economy.
Approach:
1) Utilize parasite genome sequence data to identify potential diagnostic and subunit vaccine targets for the livestock parasites Babesia and Theileria. The overall aim is to develop species-specific molecular and serological assays. Serum samples and immune cells from experimentally infected animals will also be used to achieve this goal.
2) Test the efficacy of currently approved and experimental drugs against Babesia Theileria parasites. This will be achieved by performing infection-treatment experiments in horses and cattle.
3) Develop and evaluate next-generation subunit vaccines against Theileria and Babesia parasites. This will be accomplished by performing vaccination-challenge experiments in horses and cattle.