Expression of truncated Babesia gibsoni thrombospondin-related adhesive proteins in Escherichia coli and evaluation of their diagnostic potential by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

► The full length of BgTRAP (BgTRAPf) was truncated into two parts, BgTRAPn and BgTRAPc. ► The rBgTRAPc was expressed in greater amount than rBgTRAPf and rBgTRAPc in E. coli expression system. ► An ELISA with rBgTRAPc showed the highest specificity and reliable sensitivity compared to that with rBgTRAPf or rBgTRAPn. ► The ELISA with rBgTRAPc could be the most promising serodiagnostic method for Babesia gibsoni infection.