Immunological survey of babesiosis (

Babesia peircei was extracted from nucleated erythrocytes of naturally infected Jackass penguin (Spheniscus demersus) from South Africa (SA). Babesia peircei glycoprotein-enriched fractions were obtained by concanavalin A-Sepharose affinity column chromatography and separated by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). At least 14 protein bands (9, 11, 13, 20, 22, 23, 24, 43, 62, 90, 120, 204, and 205 kDa) were observed, with the major protein at 25 kDa. Blood samples of 191 adult S. demersus were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) utilizing B. peircei glycoprotein-enriched fractions to detect anti-B. peircei IgG. The samples originated from three groups of free-ranging penguins (n = 110), 1 group of penguins (n = 66) which were rescued after offsh ore oil-spill contaminations and rehabilitated at the South African National Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), and the final group from SANCCOB-resident penguins (n = 15). The overall B. peircei seroprevalence was 65 %, and the mean seropositive ranged from 60 to 71 % among the five penguin groups. The ELISA appeared to be specific for B. peircei IgG as tested against Haemoproteus columbae IgG and avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum, and P. elongatum) IgG. Toxoplasma gondii antibody (Ab) were detected by the direct agglutination test using killed T. gondii tachyzoites. All birds were seronegative for T. gondii Ab. The lack of T. gondii-positive penguins was due to the appropriate sanitary conditions and anti- Toxoplasma prevention procedures utilized by the SANCCOB