The immunological & serological studies of Equine Infectious Anemia in Egyptian horses

Abstract

Equine infection anemia (EIA) occurs world-wide. The infection, formerly known as swamp fever, is limited to equids.The disease is characterized by recurrent febrile episodes, thrombocytopenia and anemia We collected 10 cc. of aseptically collected whole blood samples from 180 horses at different localities in Egypt suffering from fever, illness, anemia and infertility. Samples may be submitted as serum or whole blood should be collected in vacutainers without anti-coagulant using disposable needles and sterile syringes. Samples must be properly identified, carefully packed, and sent as soon as possible to diagnostic lab. Clinical diagnosiswas done by applied Agar gel immunodiffusion and ELISA tests. In this study recorded that 33 (18.33%) positive EIA by using ELISA test but was 24 (13.33%) by AGID test. The highest incidence was in Kaliobia Gov.8/35 samples 22.85% followed by Cairo 9/50 samples 18%, then Giza 11/65 samples 16.92% and Fayoum 5/30 samples 16.66% by ELISA test. The same results were inKaliobia Gov. 5/35 samples 14.29% followed by Cairo 7/50 samples 14% then 9/65 samples 13.85% in Giza and 3/30 samples 10% in Fayoum by using AGID test. Finally, we concluded that combining the specificity of AGID test with higher sensitivity, such as the ELISA test to enhance the accuracy of EIA diagnosis.