Bovine babesiosis in the 21st century: advances in biology and functional genomics

Sejal Gohil, Susann Herrmann, Svenja Gunther, Brian Mark Cooke

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

75 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Bovine babesiosis caused by the protozoan parasite, Babesia bovis, remains a significant cause of avoidable economic losses to the livestock industry in many countries throughout the world. The molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of severe disease in susceptible cattle are not well understood and the tools available to study the biology of the parasite, including technologies for genetic manipulation, have only recently been developed. Recent availability of multiple parasite genomes and bioinformatic tools, in combination with the development of new biological reagents, will facilitate our better understanding of the parasite. This will ultimately assist in the identification of novel targets for the development of new therapeutics and vaccines. Here we describe some recent advances in Babesia research and highlight some important challenges for the future.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)125 - 132
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal for Parasitology
Volume43
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013

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