Genetically modified babesia parasites expressing protective tick antigens and uses thereof

A method for generating an immune response in a mammal against a heterologous protein, the method comprising administering to said mammal a genetically modified Babesia spp. that produces said heterologous protein, wherein said genetically modified Babesia spp. comprises a stably transfected polynucleotide, wherein said stably transfected polynucleotide comprises a promoter operably linked to a heterologous nucleic acid, wherein said heterologous nucleic acid encodes said heterologous protein, wherein said promoter is transcriptionally active in said Babesia spp., and wherein said mammal generates an immune response to said heterologous protein produced by said genetically modified Babesia spp.