COMPARISON OF INDIRECT FLUORESCENT-ANTIBODY (IFA) WITH COMPLEMENT-FIXATION (CF) TESTS FOR DIAGNOSIS OF BABESIA SPP INFECTIONS IN COLOMBIAN CATTLE

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 27  (2) , 169-181
Abstract
Serum samples (372) were collected from Colombian cattle before and during the course of natural Babesia spp. infection on the north coast of Colombia. The serum samples were used to compare indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) with complement fixation (CF) tests for diagnosis of babesiosis. The IFA technique detected Babesia argentina antibodies an average of 4.0 wk earlier than the CF test and B. bigemina an average of 2.5 weeks earlier. IFA and CF could differentiate B. argentina and B. bigemina infections; in some cases cross reactions were observed. Generally IFA titers were at relatively high levels of 1:640 to 1:5120 in comparison with CF titers of trace to 1:80. In cases of mortality due to babesiosis, both IFA and CF serologic techniques were useful in indicating the cause of death. Although IFA and CF are laboratory tests, the IFA technique had advantages over the CF in simplicity, economy and speed of performance.