Authors : Ibrahim Balkaya and S.Zerrin Erdogmus
Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalance of Babesia equi and Babesia caballi by serologic (IFAT and CFT) and microscopic examination in the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea regions. For this purpose, sera and microscopic slides were prepared and examined from 168 horses randomly chosen from 8 different cities in these regions in year of 2003. Microscopic slides stained with Giemsa were examined for Babesia species, and the agents were not detected. In the serological tests performed, seropositivity was found by IFAT in the Mediterranean Sea region to be between 12.72% and 44.44% for B. equi, and between 0% and 30% for B. caballi; while CFT revealed a prevalence between 5% and 12.72% for B. equi,between 0% and 1.81% for B. caballi. In the Black Sea region, on the other hand, seropositivity was found by IFAT between 0% and 20.68% for B. equi, and between 0% and 12.5% for B. caballi; and by CFT to be between 0% and 12.06% for B. equi, and none for B. caballi. The differences between the results of the tests were evaluated statistically, and IFAT was more sensitive and specific as compared to CFT and microscopic examination.
Ibrahim Balkaya and S.Zerrin Erdogmus , 2006. Prevalence of Babesia equi and Babesia caballi in Horses by Serological Methods in The Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea Regions of Turkey. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 5: 168-171.