Seroprevalence of <i>Neospora</i> spp. in horses from Central Province of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

From October 2010 to May 2011, blood samples were collected from 229 healthy horses from six different regions of the Central Province of Saudi Arabia. Sera were tested for Neospora spp. antibodies by a competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and confirmed by an indirect fluorescent antibody test. 23 horses out of 229 (10%) reacted positively to Neospora antibodies in competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; five of them had ≥50% inhibition. Samples were confirmed with indirect fluorescence test (IFAT) test and only two samples were positive with final titers of 50 and 100, while other samples were negative. This study is the first investigation to determine Neospora spp. in horses from semi arid areas in Saudi Arabia which indicates that horses in Saudi Arabia are exposed to this parasite.

Keywords: Horse, Neospora caninum, competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA), indirect fluorescence test (IFAT), Saudi Arabia

African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(9), pp. 982-985