The rap-1 multigenic family coding for red blood cell invasion proteins is sufficiently conserved in Babesia responsible for ovine babesiosis to open up vaccination prospects.

With the aim of developing a vaccine strategy to block the multiplication of ovine Babesia species, the multigenic family rap-1 (rhoptry-associated-protein 1) involved in the invasion of red blood cells has been characterized. The organization and sequences of these genes are highly conserved within the B. motasi-like group, but they are very different in the species Babesia sp. Xinjang