Not AvailableAs parasitaemia is low and fluctuating during the chronic stage of infection,
accurate detection of Trypanosoma evansi in blood is difficult. The primary
aims of this investigation were to assess for the first time the seroprevalence
of T. evansi in all agro-climatic zones of Punjab, by indirect enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (iELISA) and card agglutination test (CATT/T. evansi), and
to evaluate the risk factors associated with latent trypanosomosis. A total of
319 equine serum samples collected from 12 districts of Punjab (India) belonging
to different agro-climatic zones revealed 39 (12.23%) and 9 (2.82%) samples to
be positive by CATT/T. evansi and iELISA, respectively. The highest prevalence
was recorded from the Ludhiana district (42.86% and 7.14% by CATT/T. evansi and
iELISA, respectively) in the central plain zone (for which the overall prevalence
was 15% and 4.17%, respectively). There was fair agreement between the tests
for the detection of T. evansi (kappa = 0.345). Species was the most influential
risk factor for infection, with odds ratios (ORs) of 2.81 and 5.63 for donkeys/
mules, in comparison with horses, by CATT/T. evansi and iELISA, respectively.
The female equine population (OR = 3.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.32–7.67
[CATT]) was found to be at a higher risk of seropositivity for T. evansi, particularly
on ‘unorganised’ (inappropriately managed) farms (OR = 3.18, 95% CI = 1.53–
6.65 [CATT]) and among animals used for commercial purposes (OR = 2.51,
95% CI = 1.20–5.21 [CATT]). In conclusion, to declare disease-free status, use of the
iELISA followed by retesting of suspect samples by CATT/T. evansi is suggested.Not Availabl
