Serodiagnosis of Babesia motasi (Wales), Theileria recondita (Wales) and Cytoecetes phagocytophila infection in sheep.

The indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was used to diagnose some tick-borne infections of sheep, Babesia motasi (Wales), Theileria recondita (Wales) and Cytoecetes phagocytophila. Antigen was prepared from blood derived from splenectomised sheep except for C phagocytophila which was derived from a normal animal. A field survey was made to assess the prevalence of B motasi and T recondita in North Wales and a comparison made between the titres using the B motasi (Wales) antigen with those previously reported. IFA titres reported in the homologous system were consistently lower than those described previously. The results of the field survey suggested that B motasi (Wales) infection is more widespread than was originally thought and more widespread than the known distribution of its vector Haemaphysalis punctata. No serological cross reactions occurred between B motasi (Wales), T recondita (Wales), C phagocytophila, B divergens, Sarcocystis ovicanis and Toxoplasma gondii.