Comparative serologic study of equine piroplasmosis, with card and complement-fixation tests.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Parasitology
• Immunodiagnostics

Background:

• Equine piroplasmosis is a significant disease affecting horses globally.
• Accurate and rapid diagnostic tools are crucial for disease control and management.
• Existing diagnostic methods may have limitations in speed or accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a rapid card test (CT) for the diagnosis of equine piroplasmosis.
• To assess the efficacy of the CT using Babesia caballi antigen.
• To compare the performance of the CT with the complement-fixation (CF) test.

Main Methods:

• A card test (CT) antigen was prepared from lyophilized Babesia caballi complement-fixation (CF) antigen.
• Serum and plasma samples were collected from known infected and healthy horses.
• Samples were also obtained from horses in endemic regions outside the continental United States.
• Comparative testing was performed using both the CT and CF assays.

Main Results:

• The CT correctly identified 85% of plasma samples and 92% of serum samples from known infected and normal horses.
• Results from the CT showed close agreement with the established CF test.
• The CT demonstrated good agreement with CF results for serum samples from international locations.

Conclusions:

• The developed rapid card test (CT) is a reliable diagnostic tool for equine piroplasmosis.
• The CT offers a promising alternative to traditional methods, with high sensitivity and specificity.
• This diagnostic advancement can aid in the surveillance and control of equine piroplasmosis in various settings.