SEROPREVALENCE OF BABESIA-OVIS IN SHEEP IN CATALONIA, NORTHEASTERN SPAIN

An indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was developed in order to detect antibodies against Babesia ovis in different sheep flocks from Catalonia, northeastern Spain. Of the total 2174 sera included in the study, 133 (6.1%) were positive. Considerable differences in seroprev alence were detected depending on the geographical areas from which th e animals originated. This must have been a consequence of the presenc e or absence of the vector tick, Rhipicephalus bursa, the distribution of which depends upon the bioclimate and vegetation present in the di fferent areas studied. Even within those areas which afford suitable c onditions for the presence of Rh. bursa ticks, and therefore in which positive titres were found, great differences in seroprevalence were d etected among different flocks. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rig hts reserved.