Table 5.

Gene modification studies in vaccine development against Babesia parasite.

Type of vaccine	Study	Target	Reference
Stable transfected strain of B. bovis expressing an enhanced GFP (eGFP) and a chimeric version of Bm86 (B. bovis/Bm86/eGFP)	Splenectomized calves immunized with B. bovis/Bm86/eGFP showed mild signs of acute disease after challenge with B. bovis and generated antibodies that recognized native Bm86, a vaccine candidate protein expressed in the vector tick midgut. The number of ticks that fully developed and detached as engorged females was reduced (70%) in vaccinated calves. PCR analysis for B. bovis in ovaries and eggs of female ticks fed on immunized calves was negative.	B. bovis blood stage. R. microplus & R. annulatus	(180)
Live B. bovis vaccine expressing the protective tick antigen glutathione-S-transferase from Haemaphysalis longicornis (HIGST)	Cattle inoculated with transfected parasites developed mild babesiosis upon challenge with a virulent strain of B. bovis and produced antibody responses against the tick antigen expressed by the transfected parasites. Challenge of vaccinated cattle with heterologous R. microplus ticks, resulted in reduction of egg fertility and weight of fully engorged female ticks. Reduction in tick size and fecundity of R. microplus was also observed.	B. bovis blood stage and R. microplus ticks.	(181)