An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay to diagnose Babesia bovis infection in cattle

The optimum gel filtration fraction from lysate of Babesia bovis infected erythrocytes was determined for use as an antigen in an ELISA to diagnose B. bovis infection in cattle. Of four enzyme labels tested, horseradish peroxidase was the most suitable. The assay is both sensitive and specific in detecting antibody for 2-4 years after a single infection. False positive reactions were obtained only with some sera from some Anaplasma marginale infected cattle.