Determination of the protease activity in a Cuban Babesia bovis strain

Abstract

The attenuation of a Babesia bovis strain depends on its protease content. The present work evaluates this parameter on a virulent strain, before and after attenuation by quick passages on splenectomised calves. The protease activity at different pH values was determined in protein fractions from the blood of calves. The enzymatic test showed marked differences between the protease content of both substrains.