Prevalence of piroplasmosis in equines in the Colombian province of Cordoba.

Eighty-two equine sera from 13 farms in northern Colombia were examined for antibodies to Babesia caballi and B. equi using the complement fixation (CF) and the indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test. Seroreactors to both piroplasms were present on all farms. The IFA test indicated a prevalence of 90% for B. caballi and 94% for B. equi. The CF test detected antibodies to B. caballi in 41% and to B. equi in 65% of the animals. The prevalence of seroreactors in different age groups revealed a significant decline in CF antibodies to B. caballi in animals older than three years. IFA titres for both Babesia spp. gradually declined with increasing age of the animals but were still present in most animals of the oldest age group (over nine years old). Anocentor nitens was found on all farms whereas Amblyomma cajennese was found only on two farms located on the coast.