The object of these experiments was to study the pathogenesis and
kinetics of Theileria annulata infection in the efferent
lymph of the draining lymph nodes of calves. Efferent lymphatics of calves
were cannulated prior to infection with T.
annulata sporozoite or an allogeneic schizont cell line. Potentially
lethal sporozoite challenge induced cell shut-down from
days 4–6 and then a massive increase in output of blasting cells
(both infected and non-infected) in the efferent lymph.
The rate of lymph flow and total cell output increased to 5 to 10-fold
from day 6 onwards. Sporozoites were never isolated
from the efferent lymph. However, large numbers of parasite-infected cells
were seen in efferent lymph from the sixth day
of infection. The animals inoculated with an allogeneic T. annulata-infected
cell line exhibited only a small increase in flow
rate and cell output. Parasite-infected cells of recipient origin were
seen in efferent lymph from day 11 onwards. However,
cells of donor origin were never isolated either from efferent lymph or
peripheral blood. Thus the parasite transferred from
the inoculated donor cell line to the cells of the recipient before schizonts
appeared in efferent lymph.