Seroprevalance of Babesia ovis in sheep in Malatya

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.