Genetic diversity of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infecting horses of Central-Southern Italy and preliminary results of its correlation with clinical and serological status

BackgroundEquine piroplasmosis (EP) is a notifiable disease in Ireland and a significant concern to domestic and international equine industries. Information regarding EP presence in Ireland is currently limited. This retrospective surveillance study describes a serological and molecular analysis of blood samples submitted to the Irish Equine Centre for EP testing between January 2013 and April 2016.MethodsFollowing serological testing, seropositive samples were screened using a PCR targeting the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. Amplicon sequences were bioinformatically analysed to identify the parasite species and to assess genetic diversity.ResultsFrom 2099 screened equine blood samples, 2.5 per cent and 1 per cent were seropositive for Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, respectively. T equi DNA was detected in 9 per cent of the seropositive samples while B caballi DNA was not detected in any sample. The T equi DNA sequences displayed no genetic diversity at this locus, in contrast to samples from the UK and from endemic areas.ConclusionDetection of EP-seropositive and parasitaemic horses in Ireland indicates a clear and present health risk to the equine population. It is recommended that owners adopt appropriate biosecurity measures and that clinicians are mindful of this disease as a differential diagnosis.

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

Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases ◽

10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.01.011 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 462-469 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Leticia Elisa Bartolomé Del Pino ◽

Nardini Roberto ◽

Veneziano Vincenzo ◽

Iacoponi Francesca ◽

Cersini Antonella ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Southern Italy ◽

Theileria Equi ◽

Babesia Caballi ◽

Molecular Survey ◽

Associated Risk Factors

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Occurrence and Genetic Diversity of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in Chilean Thoroughbred Racing Horses

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10060714 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 714

Author(s):

Reinaldo Torres ◽

Claudio Hurtado ◽

Sandra Pérez-Macchi ◽

Pedro Bittencourt ◽

Carla Freschi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Rrna Genes ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Theileria Equi ◽

Babesia Caballi ◽

Thoroughbred Horses ◽

18S Rrna Genes ◽

Thoroughbred Racing ◽

First Time ◽

Rhoptry Protein

This study aimed to serologically and molecularly survey Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in thoroughbred horses from racecourses in Chile. Additionally, the genetic diversity of the positive samples was assessed. A total of 286 thoroughbred horses from the Santiago and Valparaíso racecourses had their serum samples submitted to an ELISA for B. caballi and T. equi, and 457 samples (from the Santiago, Valparaíso, and Concepción racecourses) were tested with nested PCRs for the B. caballi 48 KDa rhoptry protein (RAP-1) and T. equi 18S rRNA genes. Selected RAP-1 and 18S positive products were sequenced to perform phylogenetic and haplotype analyses. An overall seroprevalence of 35.6% was observed for these Chilean racecourses: 23.7% for T. equi, 8.4% for B. caballi, and 3.5% for both agents. Overall, a 53.6% occurrence by nPCR was detected for the three Chilean racecourses: 44.2% for T. equi, 5.4% for B. caballi, and 3.9% for both agents. Phylogenetic analysis of T. equi and B. caballi showed genetic proximity with sequences previously detected in other countries. Haplotype analysis revealed a low diversity among the Chilean sequences, which may have originated from those reported in Brazil, Israel, or Cuba. Babesia caballi and T. equi were detected for the first time in Chilean thoroughbred horses.

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Molecular survey and genetic diversity of piroplasmids in equids from Midwestern Brazil

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-296120180048 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 464-472 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Fabio Bernardo Schein ◽

Maerle Oliveira Maia ◽

Rute Witter ◽

Arlei Marcili ◽

Lázaro Manoel de Camargo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Molecular Characterization ◽

Maximum Parsimony ◽

Geographic Origin ◽

Intraspecific Variability ◽

Theileria Equi ◽

Mato Grosso ◽

Babesia Caballi ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Phylogenetic Studies

Abstract We evaluated the distribution of piroplasmids in equids from the Mato Grosso state in Midwestern Brazil using molecular methods and the interspecific genetic diversity. For this, 1,624 blood samples of equids from 973 farms were examined by PCR, using primer pairs that amplify a fragment of the genes rap-1 and ema-1 of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, respectively. For molecular characterization and phylogenetic studies, 13 and 60 sequences of the rap-1 and ema-1 genes, respectively, were used to build a dendogram using maximum parsimony. B. caballi and T. equi were detected in 4.11% and 28.16% of the farms, respectively, and molecular prevalence was 2.74% for B. caballi and 25.91% for T. equi. The location of the farms and animals raised in the Pantanal ecoregion influence the probability of equids testing positive for B. caballi and T. equi . Moreover, age and herd purpose were variables significantly associated with T . equi infection. The sequences of B. caballi presented 1.95% intraspecific variability, contrasting with 2.99% in T. equi. Dendrograms for both species demonstrated the presence of subgroups with high values of support of branches. However, it is not possible to associate these groups with geographic origin and/or ecoregion.

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