High Exposure to and Spp. in Donkeys in Israel: Serological Survey and Case Reports.

and spp. are closely related cyst-forming coccidian parasites, which infect various animal species and have considerable zoonotic and economic implications, respectively. Both parasites are endemic in Israel and have been reported to infect wild and domestic animals. This study was conceived to evaluate the serologic exposure of donkeys to these parasites. Serum samples were collected from 98 donkeys. Half of them (n = 49) were from animal shelters in Israel, and the rest (n = 49) were working donkeys from the Palestinian Authority. The donkeys were screened for the presence of anti- and anti- antibodies by immunofluorescence antibody tests (IFATs). The seroprevalence of and spp. was 94% and 70%, respectively, and 69% of the donkeys were exposed to both parasites. In addition, tissue cysts were documented in two donkeys during post-mortem examination. This is the first report of the exposure of donkeys to and spp. in the area. The high prevalence found in this study suggests that donkeys may have a role in the maintenance of these parasites in the area, thus serving as a source of infection for the definitive hosts.