Seroprevalance of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in horses from kars and ardahan provinces during the winter season [Kars ve ardahan yöresinde kiş mevsiminde atlarda babesia caballi ve theileria equi 'nin Seroprevalansi]

In the present study the seroprevalance of babesia caballi and theileria equi in native horses breed by local people were determined. blood samples were collected from a total of 273 horses in a period of december 2007-january 2008; 120 stallion and 80 mare from 8 districts in kars province and 38 stallion and 35 mare from 3 districts in ardahan province. serum samples were examined for the babesia caballi and theileria equi antibodies by celisa. antibodies against babesia caballi,theileria equi and mix enfections were found in 80/273 (29.3%); 52/273 (19%); 24/273 (8.8%) of horses examined,respectively. seropositivity for the mares and stallions were 51/115 (44.3%); 81/158 (51.3%),respectively (p>0.05). seropositivity for the 0-3; 4-9 and 10 years old horses were 31/78 (39.7%); 79/141 (56%); 22/54 (40.7%),respectively (p<0.05). in kars province,seropositivity for the babesia caballi,theileria equi and mix infections were found as 65/200 (32.5%); 44/200 (22%); 17/200 (8.5%),respectively. in ardahan province,seropositivity for the babesia caballi,theileria equi and mix infections were found as 15/73 (20.5%); 8/73 (11%); 7/73 (9.6%),respectively. this study revealed first time the presence of babesia caballi and theileria equi in horses form ardahan province and babesia caballi in kars province with high seropositivity rate of asymptomatic horses in this region.