Serological diagnosis of equine infectious anemia in horses, donkeys and mules using an ELISA with a gp45 synthetic peptide as antigen.

•Spot synthesis technique was used to map and identify immunodominant epitope for EIAV.•A soluble peptide (pgp45) was used in indirect ELISA tests for EIA diagnosis.•pgp45 ELISA was able to detect EIAV infected donkeys and mules.•pgp45 ELISA showed high sensitivity, specificity and concordance with AGID.•pgp45 peptide could be used as an antigen in serological tests for EIA.