Chemotherapy Against Theileria annulata

Abstract

Though a large number of compounds have been tested against Theileria annulata during the last several decades, satisfactory therapy of the disease has not become available. Recently, three drugs — Imidocarb (El-Refaii & Michael, 1976; Sharma et al, 1977), Menoctone (McHardy, 1978; McHardy et al, 1976) and the closely-related Naphthoquinone, 993C (2-hydroxy-3-cyclohexyl-1, 4-naphthoquinone) (Wellcome) (McHardy et al, 1980) — have shown anti-theilerial activity. The present authors tested Imidocarb and 993C for activity against T. annulata in experimentally induced infections in calves. Two-month old, cross-bred (Zebu x Holstein Friesian) calves reared in tick-proof conditions since birth, were used.