title: Seroprevalence study on Theileria equi and Babesia caballi antibodies in horses from central province of Saudi Arabia.
abstract: In total, 241 sera from clinically healthy adult horses were collected from 6 locations in Saudi Arabia and examined for Theileria equi and Babesia caballi antibodies by an indirect fluorescent antibody test. Antibodies to Theileria equi were detected in 25 horses (10.4%) while the antibodies to Babesia caballi were observed in 18 horses (7.5%). In addition, 7 serum samples were positive for antibodies to both parasites (3%). The horses sampled in Al-Janadriah had the highest prevalence of infection with T. equi at 16.5% and with B. caballi at 8.8%, while the lowest prevalence of infection with T. equi (4.7%) and B. caballi (3.1%) was observed among horses examined from the Dyrab district. However, significant differences (P < 0.05) in seroprevalence were not observed between these districts. This study represents the first report on the status of T. equi and B. caballi infection in the central province of Saudi Arabia.
authors.affiliation: Aldwadmy branch, Shaqra University, Shasta 11961, Saudi Arabia. Alanazi_1@hotmail.com
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Alanazi
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Alyousif
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hassieb
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D001403:Babesia / Q000276:immunology*; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006736:Horses; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D016794:Theileria / Q000276:immunology*; D013801:Theileriasis / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan