The aim of the present study was to evaluate the validity of Theileria annulata surface protein
(TaSP)-ELISA, in comparison with traditional microscopic test, for the diagnosis of T.
annulata infection among Egyptian baladi cattle (Bos taurus) and water buffaloes (Bubalus
bubalis). Molecular confirmation of infection using T. annulata merozoite surface (Tams-1)
target amplification by PCR was used as a gold standard. A total of 76 clinically suspected
animals including 64 baladi cattle and 12 water buffaloes were investigated in the current
study by the three methods. Based on the PCR-confirmed results, the evaluation study
revealed higher sensitivity of TaSP-ELISA (72.9% and 75%) as compared to microscopic
examination (58.3% and 50%) among cattle and buffaloes, respectively. On the other hand,
the specificity of TaSP-ELISA in diagnosis of T. annulata infection was higher (87.5%) in baladi
cattle as compared to water buffaloes (37.5%). In conclusion, TaSP-ELISA was shown to
be suitable for the diagnosis of T. annulata infection in cattle under field conditions.