Anaplasma marginale-infectivity in splenectomized and radiated rabbits

The purpose of this study was to determine if an A. marginale infection was possible in rabbits and if any changes in the etiologic agent could be detected. To alter their receptivity intact and splenectomized rabbits were subjected to different amounts of Co�� gamma radiation. The inoculum consisted of anaplasma infected bovine whole blood, freshly drawn, containing intact erythrocytes. There was no A. marginale development detectable by laboratory means neither in intact radiated rabbits, nor in splenectomized, nor in splenectomized and radiated rabbits. A single intravenous injection of virulent A. marginale in these rabbits did not elicit a detectable CF antibody response. These results excluded that an antigenic response had taken place even as a result of an inapparent A. marginale multiplication in the rabbits. ..