Search for Drugs and Drug Targets againstBabesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, Babesia caballi, andBabesia(Theileria)equi

Babesiosis is one of the most important protozoan diseases of livestock from an economic viewpoint. Moreover, due to its zoonotic character and widespread occurrence, it is also gaining attention as an emerging malaria-like disease. Whilst several drugs have been used to treat babesiosis, and most exert adequate babesiacidal activities, some have demonstrated severe side effects, toxicity, and potent resistance phenomena. Thus, the quest for new and effective drugs and drug combinations, as well as chemotherapeutic targets, is a continuing endeavor. In this chapter, for a better understanding of the organism, the parasite will be introduced in terms of its etiology and life cycle, followed by details of compounds recently and successfully tested in in vitro cultured bovine and equine Babesia spp. The elucidation of possible drug targets, and their future application in vivo, is also discussed. Notably, the focus of the chapter relates to the development or detection of possible compounds and drug targets, rather than to current standard treatments and established drug targets.