Light microscopic examination of blood and immunochromatographic test in the detection of Babesia spp infection in racing horses from Carmona, Cavite

Immunochromatographic test (ICT) and microscopic examination of blood smears were performed to detect Babesia spp. infection in 49 horses from San Lazaro Leisure Park, Carmona, Cavite. The overall infection rate of Babesia spp. is 65.31% (32/49). Out of the 49 racing horses tested using immunochromatographic test, 3 horses tested positive for B. equi with an infection rate of 6.12% while 27 had B. caballi with an infection rate of 55.10%. Two horses had mixed infections with B. equi and B. caballi (4.08%). Seventeen (17) out of forty-nine horses or 34.69% of the samples tested negative for Babesia infection. Giemsa-stained thin blood smears were examined under oil immersion objective to check for the presence of Babesia spp. in red blood cells. Most of the Babesia spp. found within the cytoplasm of red blood cells appear oval, pear-shaped, and ring-shaped trophozoites. Both the immunochromatographic test (ICT) and light microscopy are reliable tests in the detection of babesiosis among Philippine racing horses