Babesia caballi and Theileria equi infections in horses in Central-Southern Italy: Sero-molecular survey and associated risk factors

AbstractBabesia caballi and Theileria equi are biological agents responsible for equine piroplasmosis (EP). We conducted a robust and extensive epidemiological study in Nigeria on the prevalence and risk factors of EP. Blood (468, both horses and donkeys) and ticks (201 pools) were screened using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). DNA of equine piroplasms was observed in tick pools with B. caballi amplified in Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi only [minimum infection rate (MIR) of 7.6%] while T. equi was observed in R. e. evertsi (MIR, 61.6%), Hyalomma dromedarii (MIR, 23.7%) and H. truncatum (MIR, 50.0%). Overall results showed that 196/468 (41.9%) animals were positive for equine piroplasms (both B. caballi and T. equi). The prevalence for T. equi was 189/468 (40.4%) compared to 7/468 (1.5%) for B. caballi. In the horses and donkeys, respectively, the prevalence for T. equi was (39.9%; 112/281) and (41.2%; 77/187) compared with (1.4%; 4/281) and (1.6%; 3/187) due to B. caballi. Our analysis showed that location (Jigawa state), Talon breed, horses used for work and reproduction, unsatisfactory husbandry practices, contact with other mammals are risk factors that associated positivity to T. equi infection in horses, whilst horses kept on intensive management appeared to be less prone to infection. On the other hand, Jangora breed of donkeys and location (Jigawa state) are risk factors to infection with T. equi in donkeys. Findings suggest the persistence of EP in equids and ticks in Nigeria.

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Serological detection and risk factors for equine piroplasmosis in the semiarid region of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612019088 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 685-691 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Eline Almeida Rodrigues de Souza ◽

Andreina de Carvalho Araujo ◽

Larissa Célly Souza Regis Pires ◽

Carla Roberta Freschi ◽

Sergio Santos Azevedo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Dna Amplification ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

Semiarid Region ◽

Theileria Equi ◽

Babesia Caballi ◽

Equine Piroplasmosis ◽

Blood Smears ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Important Disease

Abstract Equine piroplasmosis, an economically important disease in horses, has so far not been reported in Pernambuco state, Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-Babesia caballi and anti-Theileria equi antibodies based on the detection of these agents in equine blood and in ticks on horses in the municipality of Petrolina, Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil. Blood samples were drawn from 393 horses and sera were examined by ELISA. The presence of tick infestations was evaluated, and 101 ticks were subjected to DNA amplification for the detection of Babesia spp. by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). No parasites were detected in the blood smears. Anti-B. caballi and anti-T. equi antibodies were found in 27.2% (107/393) and 34.8% (137/393) horses, respectively. Infestation by Dermacentor nitens was detected in 4.3% (17/393) of the horses. There was no DNA amplification of the agents in ticks. The risk factors for the presence of anti-T. equi antibodies (P < 0.05) were: purebred (P < 0.001), animals older than 156 months (P = 0.014), and the presence of ticks (P = 0.001). No risk factors for B. caballi were identified. This study confirmed the circulation of agents of equine piroplasmosis in the municipality of Petrolina, state of Pernambuco, Brazil.

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Horses infected by Piroplasms different from Babesia caballi and Theileria equi : species identification and risk factors analysis in Italy

Veterinary Parasitology ◽

10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.01.003 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 236 ◽

pp. 38-41 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Stefania Zanet ◽

Marina Bassano ◽

Anna Trisciuoglio ◽

Ivo Taricco ◽

Ezio Ferroglio

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Species Identification ◽

Theileria Equi ◽

Babesia Caballi ◽

Factors Analysis

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First report of genetic diversity and risk factor analysis of equine piroplasm infection in equids in Jilin, China

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-020-04338-1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shaowei Zhao ◽

Hao Wang ◽

Shuang Zhang ◽

Suzhu Xie ◽

Hang Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Factor Analysis ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Jilin Province ◽

Risk Factor Analysis ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Theileria Equi ◽

Babesia Caballi ◽

Equine Piroplasmosis

Abstract Background Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne hemoprotozoan disease of equids, caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. Equine piroplasmosis represents a serious challenge to the equine industry due to important economic losses worldwide. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in equids from Jilin Province, China. Methods A total of 220 blood samples (192 horses and 28 donkeys/mules) were collected from March 2018 to October 2019 in five districts of Jilin Province and analyzed by PCR. Potential risk factors, including the region, sex, management, and host species of the animals were assessed in relation to T. equi infection. Moreover, the V4 hypervariable region of the T. equi 18S rRNA gene was analyzed to identify specific genotypes. Results The overall prevalence of T. equi in equids was 27.7%, whereas B. caballi infection was not identified. The district with the highest positive rate was Baicheng (43.3%), followed by Tonghua (28.9%), Yanbian (26.4%), Jilin (23.3%), and Liaoyuan (20.9%). The sex of the animals and farm management were identified as main risk factors, which were significantly associated with the prevalence of Equine piroplasmosis (P < 0.05). The risk factor analysis indicated that the females were at a higher risk (OR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.17–5.27) of being infected compared to the males, whereas the organized farm was protective factor (OR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.22–0.80). The phylogenetic analyses revealed that there were two T. equi genotypes (A and E) in Jilin. Conclusions Our findings provided important epidemiological data for the prevention and control of T. equi infection in Jilin, China.

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