Molecular Epidemiological Surveillance of Equine Babesiosis in Japan

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(1) Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), latex agglutination tests, and Western blot using recombinant proteins (EMA-1 and GST-BC48) have been established and their high sensitivity and specificity for antibody detection have been demonstrated using sera collected from horses of Brazil.(2) A serological survey of equine babesios in Japan was carried out on 2,019 sera collected during 1971-1973 by the above-mentioned ELISA and Western blot. These results suggested that the existence of equine babesiosis in Japan by the detection of antibodies against Babesia caballi and B. equi.(3) The PCR for amplification of specific-equine Babesia parasite gene fragments from vector ticks was established using Dermacentor ticks collected from the pasture of Mongolia.(4) The possible role of Haemaphysalis longicornis, the most prevalent tick in Japan, and its eggs in the transmission of Babesia caballi parasites was documented using the above-mentioned PCR.(5) The internal defense mechanisms of ticks against equine Babesia parasites, such as the hemocyte phagocytosis and bioactive molecules, were investigated in order to develop the novel transmission-blocking vaccines.