This study was carried out on 150 equids which consisted of 89 horses, 23 mules and 38 donkeys to detect the prevalence of Babesia equi and B.caballi between February 1998-April 2001 in Kayseri region. During this period a total of 300 peripheral blood smears were prepared from the animals. At the same time, the animals were examined for tick infestation and the present ticks were collected. The blood smears were stained with 5% Giemsa’s stain solution and then microscopically examined using the immersion objective. The collected ticks were identified by stereo microscopical examination. Following the dissection of the adult ticks, smears were prepared and examined for detection of sporokinetes of Babesia species. For this purpose the smear slides were stained with Giemsa’s stain solution as mentioned above and then microscopically examined using the immersion objective.

A total of 23 animals out of 150 equids, comprising 15 horses, 3 mules and 5 donkeys were found to be infected naturally with Babesia species. Babesia caballi and B.equi were detected in 7 (7.86%) and in 4 (4.49%) of the 89 horses; in 1 (4.34%) of the 23 mules; in 2 (5.26%) and in 1 (2.63%) of the 38 donkeys respectively. Babesia caballi and B.equi were also detected in 4 (4.49%) of the horses, in 1 (4.34%) of the mules and in 2 (5.26%) of the donkeys. None of the infected animals resembled clinical reactions characteristic of babesiosis. The ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus turanicus. No Babesia sporokinetes were detected in the microscopical examination of the smears.

This is the first study which was carried out on mules and donkeys to detect Babesia species in Turkey.