Validation of a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for diagnosing Babesia equi infections of Moroccan origin and its use in determining the seroprevalence of B-equi in Morocco

A highly specific and sensitive competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent ass ay for detection of specific antibody to Babesia equi in serum from equids was validated for use in Morocco. The assay is based on the specific inhibi tion of binding of a monoclonal antibody to a conserved epitope within a re combinant parasite peptide by serum from infected animals. The assay was co mpared to an established indirect immunofluorescence assay, with a concorda nce of 91%. The assay was used to determine seroprevalence for B. equi. inf ections in donkeys and horses throughout Morocco. A total of 578 sera (163 horses and 415 donkeys) from 6 locations representing different bioclimatic regions were assayed. An analysis of variance, indicated no significant ef fect of location; however, donkeys were significantly more likely than hors es to be seropositive. Management conditions contribute to greater tick inf estations and thus Babesia exposure in donkeys than in horses.