Application of biotechnology for the diagnosis and control of ticks and tick-borne diseases.

Current and potential applications of biotechnology to detect and control anaplasmosis, bovine babesiosis, cowdriosis, and theileriosis are examined in the light of dramatic advances in molecular biology. Vaccines and the diagnostic use of nucleic acid probes, restriction fragment length polymorphisms, and monoclonal antibodies are discussed in detail, as are novel genetic methods for increasing the resistance of livestock to disease. Strategies are suggested for using molecular and non-molecular approaches in integrated programmes for controlling haemoparasitic diseases of livestock.