Seroprevalance of Babesia ovis in Sheep in Malatya

Authors: MÜNİR AKTAŞ, ALİ DÜZGÜN, CAHİT BABÜR

Abstract: This study was carried out in Malatya and vicinity to determine the seroprevalance of Babesia ovis in sheep. A total of 220 sheep sera were tested against B. ovis using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). In addition, peripheral blood smears from these sheep were prepared and examined for B. ovis. The ELISA test showed that 55.9% of sheep were seropositive for B. ovis infection. The infection rate was 49.2% in sheep which were 1-12 months old and 59% in sheep which were older than one year. In the microscopic examination of blood smears, four out of 220 sheep were found to be infected with Babesia ovis.

Keywords: Babesia ovis, ELISA, sheep

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