A SLIDE ENZYME-LINKED-IMMUNOSORBENT-ASSAY (SELISA) FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF BABESIA-BOVIS INFECTIONS AND FOR THE SCREENING OF BABESIA-SPECIFIC MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES

A slide enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (SELISA), a modification of the standard ELISA technique, was developed for detection of Babesia bovis antibodies in bovine sera. Smears of B. bovis-infected blood were used as the source of antigen in the test which was read using a light microscope. Monoclonal antibodies to defined B. bovis antigens were used to demonstrate the cellular specificity of the test. The SELISA was shown to be as sensitive as existing non-enzyme based serological tests for B. bovis. Comparative to the conventional ELISA technique, it was more economical and technically simpler, thus making it an ideal test for field application. © 1990.