<div>Background: Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease of horses caused by the intraerytrocytic protozoan parasites. The infected animals remain carriers of these blood parasites for long periods and spread the disease. The introduction of carrier animals into areas where competent tick vectors are prevalent can lead to an epizootic spread of the disease. 
 
Methods: Total 295 blood smears from diseased and healthy horses were examined and 295 serum samples were analyses by cELISA for the presence of antibodies against T. equi and B. caballi whereas 90 DNA samples from seropositive horses were screened by PCR for presence of parasite&rsquo;s DNA.&nbsp; 
 
Result: In present study, 1.35% horses were found positive for T. equi by means of blood smear examination. Using c-ELISA, it was found that 03 (1.02%) horses had antibodies against B. caballi and 182 (61.69%) against T. equi, while none of the sample showed mixed reactions. Ninety (90) seropositivehorses screened for T. equi and B. caballi by PCR method, out of which, only Nine (09) horses werefound positive indicating an overall prevalence rate of T. equi was 10.00% by PCR. None ofthe horses found positive for B. caballi through blood smear examination and PCR method.</div>

<div>Prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi Infections in Horses in South Gujarat, India</div>

<div>Background: Infectious virus antigen is not recommended for disease monitoring in global Peste des petits ruminants eradication strategies. Native virus antigens are gradually being replaced with recombinant or synthetic peptide antigens. The focus of the present study is to optimize and develop peptide-based immunoassay for the detection of antibodies to PPRV N and H proteins. 
 
Methods: Epitopes of PPRV H and N proteins were selected based on prediction with bioinformatics tools and from previous studies. Two peptides each were synthesized for N and H proteins and peptide ELISA developed. The peptide ELISA&rsquo;s sensitivity and specificity were tested with sera samples collected at different time intervals of vaccination (goat =73, sheep= 62) and 88 random serum samples (goat =47, sheep=41). The collected sera were screened using cELISA before proceeding to peptide ELISA.&nbsp; 
 
Result: In competitive ELISA, 106 goat serum samples and 96 sheep serum samples were found to be positive. Fourteen goat serum samples and seven sheep serum sample were shown to be negative. Among120 goat serum samples tested, 114 were found to be positive by peptide ELISA. Similarly, out of 103 sheep serum samples analyzed, 96 were found to be positive with peptide ELISA. The peptide ELISA based on the highly conserved and antigenic N and H epitope detected antibodies to PPRV in precise manner. This study demonstrated the effective use of synthetic peptides as an antigen in the detection of antibodies to PPRV.</div>

Peptide based Indirect ELISA for Detection of Antibodies against Peste des petits ruminants virus

<div style="text-align: justify;">This study was designed to determine the prevalence and endemic status of Anaplasma marginale in cattle in the province of Konya. A total of 700 cattle were randomly selected, categorized in different age groups (i.e. 0&ndash;6, 7&ndash;12, 13&ndash;24, 25&ndash;36 and &gt;36 months) and examined in Kadinhani, Cumra and Beysehir provinces and in Konya city center. The presence of A. marginale was diagnosed by microscopic examination of blood smears and competitive ELISA (cELISA). Parasites were observed in 11.29% of blood smears, and 31.86% of animals were positive for antibodies against A. marginale. The rates of seropositivity in successively older age groups were 19.1, 24.39, 33.14, 44.21 and 37.36% respectively. The endemic status of the disease was determined by calculating the inoculation rate (h) of cattle in each age group. The h value was detected to be lower than 0.005 and the endemic status of A. marginale was found to be unstable. If the cattle in Konya province were vaccinated when they are 9 to 12 months of age, they could be protected during the seasons when the disease is prevalent.</div>

Prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi Infections in Horses in South Gujarat, India

Peptide based Indirect ELISA for Detection of Antibodies against Peste des petits ruminants virus

The endemic status of Anaplasma marginale in cattle, in Turkey