ABSTRACT
Bovine piroplasmosis caused by Theileria sergenti is a major cause of economical loss in grazing cattle in Japan. We found that parasite stocks and isolates consist of genetically and antigenically mixed population. To differentiate parasite populations bearing 2 allelic forms of p32, an immunodominant piroplasm surface protein, 2 sets of oligonucleotide primers were designed to amplify either of the 2 alleles by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). By using this allele-specific PCR, we found that the majority of T. sergenti-infected calves in Japan harbored mixed parasite populations with C and I type parasites. Amino acid sequence of p32 contains Lys-Glu-Lys (KEK) motif which is one of tripeptide necessary for malaria parasite to invade erythrocytes. We produced 2 vaccine candidates, recombinant baculovirus p32 and synthetic peptide containing KEK motif. Immunization of either recombinant p32 or synthetic peptide containing a KEK sequence with adjuvant resulted in low parasitemia and reduced the clinical symptoms compared to control calves. Interestingly, parasites with a p32 allelic form corresponding to one used as the immunogen were suppressed. Therefore, a cocktail vaccine containing KEK peptides derived from C and I type parasites is desired for control Theileria parasite infection in Japan.