Seroprevalence of Fasciolosis in Equines of the Black Sea Region, Turkey

Abstract

This study determined the seroprevalence of fasciolosis in equines (n = 140) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot. Blood samples were collected from different locations of the Black Sea Region of Turkey. The overall seroprevalence of fasciolosis in equines was 19.3%: 18% of horses (15), 22.6% of donkeys (7), and 19.2% of mules (5). The seroprevalence rates across provinces were as follows: 25% (5/20) in Samsun, 21.9% (7/32) in Tokat, 31.4% (11/35) in Amasya, 7.4% (2/27) in Ordu, and 7.7% (2/26) in Sinop. Three protein bands with molecular weights of 13, 30-40, and 40-65 kDa were determined in antigen clusters in sera from Fasciola spp-infected equine animals. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.