Investigating the presence of equine piroplasmosis in Ireland

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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Twenty Years of Equine Piroplasmosis Research: Global Distribution, Molecular Diagnosis, and Phylogeny

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens9110926 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 926

Author(s):

Sharon Tirosh-Levy ◽

Yuval Gottlieb ◽

Lindsay M. Fry ◽

Donald P. Knowles ◽

Amir Steinman

Keyword(s):

Animal Welfare ◽

Dna Sequences ◽

Parasite Species ◽

Molecular Diagnostic ◽

Theileria Equi ◽

Babesia Caballi ◽

Equine Piroplasmosis ◽

The World ◽

Tick Borne Disease

Equine piroplasmosis (EP), caused by the hemoparasites Theileria equi, Theileria haneyi, and Babesia caballi, is an important tick-borne disease of equines that is prevalent in most parts of the world. Infection may affect animal welfare and has economic impacts related to limitations in horse transport between endemic and non-endemic regions, reduced performance of sport horses and treatment costs. Here, we analyzed the epidemiological, serological, and molecular diagnostic data published in the last 20 years, and all DNA sequences submitted to GenBank database, to describe the current global prevalence of these parasites. We demonstrate that EP is endemic in most parts of the world, and that it is spreading into more temperate climates. We emphasize the importance of using DNA sequencing and genotyping to monitor the spread of parasites, and point to the necessity of further studies to improve genotypic characterization of newly recognized parasite species and strains, and their linkage to virulence.

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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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Rapid Detection of Equine Piroplasms Using Multiplex PCR and First Genetic Characterization of Theileria haneyi in Egypt

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10111414 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1414

Author(s):

Bassma S. M. Elsawy ◽

Ahmed M. Nassar ◽

Heba F. Alzan ◽

Raksha V. Bhoora ◽

Sezayi Ozubek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiplex Pcr ◽

Genetic Characterization ◽

Simultaneous Detection ◽

18S Rrna Gene ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Theileria Equi ◽

Babesia Caballi ◽

Pcr Targeting ◽

First Time

Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) is an infectious disease caused by the hemoprotozoan parasites Theileria equi, Babesia caballi, and the recently identified species T. haneyi. Hereby, we used a multiplex PCR (mPCR) targeting the 18S rRNA gene of T. equi and B. caballi for the simultaneous detection of EP in Egyptian equids and examined the presence of T. haneyi infections in Egypt. Blood samples from 155 equids (79 horses and 76 donkeys) collected from different governorates of Egypt were examined by mPCR and PCR targeting T. hayeni. The mPCR method revealed a prevalence of T. equi of 20.3% in horses and of 13.1% in donkeys and a prevalence of B. caballi of 1.2% in horses. B. caballi was not detected in donkeys in the current study. The mPCR method also detected coinfections with both species (2.5% and 1.3% in horses and donkeys, respectively). Additionally, we report the presence of T. haneyi in Egypt for the first time in 53.1% of the horse and 38.1% of the donkey tested samples. Coinfection with T. haneyi and T. equi was found in 13.5% of the samples, while infection with the three EP species was found in 1.9% of the samples.

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The first molecular detection and genetic diversity of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in horses of Gansu province, China

Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases ◽

10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.01.003 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 528-532 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Jinming Wang ◽

Junlong Liu ◽

Jifei Yang ◽

Xiaoxing Wang ◽

Zhi Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Molecular Detection ◽

Gansu Province ◽

Theileria Equi ◽

Babesia Caballi

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Molecular detection and prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in horses of central Balkan

Acta Parasitologica ◽

10.1515/ap-2016-0044 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 61 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Darko Davitkov ◽

Milos Vucicevic ◽

Jevrosima Stevanovic ◽

Vanja Krstic ◽

Dajana Slijepcevic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Detection ◽

Wide Distribution ◽

Specific Region ◽

Theileria Equi ◽

Species Determination ◽

Babesia Caballi ◽

Equine Piroplasmosis ◽

Pcr Products ◽

Tick Borne Disease ◽

Insight Into

AbstractEquine piroplasmosis is significant tick-borne disease with wide distribution. The prevalence of equine piroplasmosis in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina is unknown. In aim to obtain a first insight into the prevalence we performed molecular epidemiological study which included 142 horses, on seven locations in these three countries. We first performed PCR for the detection of a 450bp long section of the 18S rRNA of piroplasma-specific region. For all positive samples we have done multiplex PCR for the species detection. Species determination was further confirmed by sequencing PCR products of 10 randomly selected

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Employment of the 18s rRNA screening PCR technique in the detection of Equine Piroplasmosis, in horses of sports and military operations, of the Brazilian Army

Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia ◽

10.1590/1678-4162-10087 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 70 (6) ◽

pp. 1680-1684

Author(s):

C.P. Sousa ◽

J.G.B. Soares

Keyword(s):

Military Operations ◽

Law And Order ◽

Porto Alegre ◽

Theileria Equi ◽

Babesia Caballi ◽

Equine Piroplasmosis ◽

Effectiveness Factors ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Military Activity ◽

The Military

ABSTRACT The present work had the objective of detecting the occurrence of Equine Piroplasmosis in horses housed in the 3rd Guards Cavalry Regiment (GCR) - Brazilian Army (BA) ˗ Porto Alegre, RS-Brazil, as well as to demonstrate the proactivity of PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) technique, aiming at the judicious use of the resources involved in the training and employment of Equines in the Brazilian Army. Fifty horses of the 3rd GCR - Porto Alegre ˗ RS, which are employed for Sport, Military Ceremonial, Law and Order Guarantee Operations (LOGO), were evaluated by means of the 18s r RNA screening with PCR technique, thirty eight horses with Babesia Caballi and Theileria Equi were detected, which corresponds to an incidence of 76% of the horses effective analyzed at the time. In this way, it can be verified that the Military activity have its "performance and effectiveness" factors threatened in case the health of the principal of his means employed, that is the horse, is compromised. The PCR technique then offers a reliable and feasible tool for the detection of Equine Piroplasmosis in BA horses.

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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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Molecular Investigation and Genotyping of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in Horses in Mus Province, Turkey

Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society ◽

10.12681/jhvms.25932 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 71 (4) ◽

pp. 2531

Author(s):

B. OGUZ ◽

N. ÖZDAL ◽

M.S. DEGER ◽

K. BICEK

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Epidemiological Data ◽

The United States ◽

18S Rrna Gene ◽

Diagnostic Tools ◽

Pcr Analysis ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Theileria Equi ◽

Babesia Caballi ◽

Equine Piroplasmosis

Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi of the phylum Apicomplexa. In this study, 102 blood samples were randomly collected from the horses in Mus province of Turkey. PCR analysis, gene sequences, and phylogenetic analyses were carried out for detecting the presence and genotypic characteristics of species that cause piroplasmosis. Four (3.9%) of the 102 horses that were examined were found to be positive for T. equi, while B. caballi was not detected. Theileria equi isolates that were detected in the sequence analyses were found to be 100% identical to the isolates that were isolated from the horses in Turkey, the United States, and South Africa as well. In the phylogenetic analysis, all of the isolates were found to cluster with T. equi sequences in the genotype A. This study, in which we revealed intraspecies sequence heterogeneity of the parasite using the 18S rRNA gene region, provides important epidemiological data for equine piroplasmosis. However, we think that determining the characterization of genotypes that are common in different parts of our country is extremely important in terms of developing new diagnostic tools and vaccines.

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High genetic diversity of Anaplasma marginale infecting dairy cattle in northeastern Brazil

Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ◽

10.1590/s1984-29612021097 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

Author(s):

José Gomes Pereira ◽

Amanda Barbosa Garcia ◽

Luiz Ricardo Gonçalves ◽

Inalda Angélica de Souza Ramos ◽

Maria do Socorro Costa Oliveira Braga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Dairy Cattle ◽

Anaplasma Marginale ◽

The State ◽

Amino Acid Sequences ◽

Surface Proteins ◽

Northeastern Brazil ◽

High Genetic Diversity ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Pcr Targeting

Abstract Anaplasma marginale is an obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium found in ruminants’ erythrocytes and is the etiological agent of bovine anaplasmosis. The bacterium’s genetic diversity has been characterized based on sequences of major surface proteins (MSPs), such as MSP1α. The aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic diversity of A. marginale in cattle in the state of Maranhão, northeastern Brazil. To this end, 343 blood samples were harvested and subjected to iELISA assays using the recombinant surface protein MSP5. Out of 343 blood samples, 235 (68.5%) were randomly chosen and submitted to DNA extraction, qPCR and conventional PCR targeting the msp1α gene to determine amino acid sequences and classify the genotypes. The iELISA results showed 81.34% seropositivity (279/343), whereas qPCR revealed 224 positive samples (95.32%). Among these qPCR-positive samples, 67.4% (151/224) were also positive in the cPCR. Among the 50 obtained sequences, 21 strains had not been previously reported. Regarding the genotypes, H (26/50) and E (18/50) were identified most often, while genotypes F and C were only identified twice each and B and G once each. In conclusion, high prevalence and genetic diversity for A. marginale were observed in dairy cattle herds in the state of Maranhão.

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