Genetic diversity of piroplasmids species in equids from island of São Luís, northeastern Brazil

Abstract Equine piroplasmosisis, a tick-borne disease caused by the intra-erythrocytic protozoans Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, has economic importance due to the international trade and the increased movement of horses all over the world. The goal of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of phylogenetic diversity of T. equi and B. caballi genotypes among infected equids from São Luís Island, state of Maranhão, northeastern Brazil. Between December of 2011 and June of 2012, EDTA-blood and serum samples were collected from 139 equids (90 donkeys, 39 horses and 10 mules). From 139 serum samples submitted to ELISA assay, IgG antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi were detected in 19.4% (27/139) and 25.2% (35/139), respectively. Among sampled animals, 21.6% (30/139) and 55.4% (77/139) were positive for cPCR assays for T. equi and B. caballi, based on ema-1 and rap-1 genes, respectively. Overall, the T. equi sequences (n=7) submitted to Maximum Likelihood analysis (based on a 18S rRNA fragment of 1700 bp after alignment) grouped into three main groups, which were subdivided in eight clusters. The present work showed that different genotypes of T. equi and B. caballi circulate among equids in Brazil.

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Prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi Infections in Horses in South Gujarat, India

Indian Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.18805/ijar.b-4392 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Suresh V. Mavadiya ◽

Ramesh M. Patel ◽

Sudhir A. Mehta ◽

Arshi A. Vagh ◽

Irshad H. Kalyani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Smear ◽

Blood Parasites ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Theileria Equi ◽

Smear Examination ◽

Blood Smears ◽

Blood Smear Examination ◽

Tick Borne Disease ◽

Pcr Method ◽

Tick Vectors

Background: Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease of horses caused by the intraerytrocytic protozoan parasites. The infected animals remain carriers of these blood parasites for long periods and spread the disease. The introduction of carrier animals into areas where competent tick vectors are prevalent can lead to an epizootic spread of the disease.Methods: Total 295 blood smears from diseased and healthy horses were examined and 295 serum samples were analyses by cELISA for the presence of antibodies against T. equi and B. caballi whereas 90 DNA samples from seropositive horses were screened by PCR for presence of parasite’s DNA. Result: In present study, 1.35% horses were found positive for T. equi by means of blood smear examination. Using c-ELISA, it was found that 03 (1.02%) horses had antibodies against B. caballi and 182 (61.69%) against T. equi, while none of the sample showed mixed reactions. Ninety (90) seropositivehorses screened for T. equi and B. caballi by PCR method, out of which, only Nine (09) horses werefound positive indicating an overall prevalence rate of T. equi was 10.00% by PCR. None ofthe horses found positive for B. caballi through blood smear examination and PCR method.

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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 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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Molecular and Serological Detection of Piroplasms in Horses from Nigeria

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10050508 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 508

Author(s):

Idoko S. Idoko ◽

Richard E. Edeh ◽

Andrew M. Adamu ◽

Salamatu Machunga-Mambula ◽

Oluyinka O. Okubanjo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Signs ◽

Ixodid Ticks ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Theileria Equi ◽

Babesia Caballi ◽

Worldwide Distribution ◽

Rhipicephalus Evertsi Evertsi ◽

Species Specific ◽

Important Disease ◽

Theileria Spp

Equine piroplasmosis, an economically important disease of equids caused by the hemoprotozoan parasites Theileria equi, T. haneyi, and Babesia caballi, has a worldwide distribution. These parasites are transmitted by ixodid ticks. To improve the detection of horses in Nigeria exposed to piroplasm parasites, 72 horses with variable clinical signs of piroplasmosis were sampled from Northwest and Northcentral Nigeria and tested by nPCR and cELISA. Blood and serum samples were collected from each horse via jugular venesection. Individually, nPCR or cELISA failed to identify all horses exposed to piroplasms. A combination of species-specific nPCR and the OIE-approved T. equi and B. caballi cELISAs enhanced the detection of horses exposed to parasites. The results also demonstrated horses showing abnormal hematology were positive for only T. equi, except for one sample that was coinfected with T. equi and T. haneyi. We also identified ticks collected from some of the horses, with Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi being the most prevalent. This study shows that a larger proportion of horses in the sample set were exposed to T. equi than B. caballi or T. haneyi. Additionally, ticks that have been previously reported as potential vectors for these parasites were found to have infested sampled horses. Further studies are needed to investigate which tick species are competent vectors for Theileria spp. and Babesia caballi in Nigeria.

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Molecular and microscopic detection of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi among working horses and donkeys in Cairo and Giza provinces of Egypt

10.21203/rs.3.rs-757240/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ahmed M. Soliman ◽

Nagwa M. Elhawary ◽

Nashwa M. Helmy ◽

Sahar M. Gadelhaq

Keyword(s):

Ixodid Tick ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Age Group ◽

Health Issues ◽

Conventional Pcr ◽

Theileria Equi ◽

Babesia Caballi ◽

Tick Borne Disease ◽

The Difference ◽

Age And Sex

Abstract Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is an ixodid tick-borne disease caused by Theileria equi and/or Babesia caballi that can lead to severe health issues and economic losses among equine population. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of T. equi and B. caballi among Egyptian equines based on microscopy and conventional PCR. Also, to determine the effect of season, age, and sex of on their prevalence and determining the difference in sensitivity between microscopy and conventional PCR in the diagnosis of EP. This study was carried out on 432 blood samples randomly collected from 146 horses and 286 donkeys during a period from April 2016 to March 2018. Microscopic examination revealed that among horses, 13 (8.9%) and 4 (2.7%) were infected by T. equi and B. caballi respectively. While among donkeys, 22 (7.7%), 16 (5.6%) respectively. While mixed infections were detected in 4 (1.4%) donkeys. There was a statistically nonsignificant relation between prevalence of infection and season and sex of equines but the highest prevalence was recorded in age group less than 5 years old. By conventional PCR, among 64 horses, 15 (23.4%) and 8 (12.5%) were infected by T. equi and B. caballi, respectively. While among 76 donkeys, 36 (47.4%), 16 (21.1%), and 5 (6.6%) were infected by T. equi, B. caballi, and mixed infection, respectively. Our finding proved the existence of T. equi and B. caballi among equines.

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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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Prevalence and molecular characterization of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in jereed horses in Erzurum, Turkey

Acta Parasitologica ◽

10.1515/ap-2017-0025 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 62 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Esin Guven ◽

Hamza Avcioglu ◽

Ahmet Deniz ◽

İbrahim Balkaya ◽

Ugur Abay ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Characterization ◽

Theileria Equi ◽

Babesia Caballi ◽

Equine Piroplasmosis ◽

Worldwide Distribution ◽

Tick Borne Disease

AbstractEquine piroplasmosis (EP) is a hemoprotozoan tick-borne disease with worldwide distribution that is caused by

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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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Evaluation of trace elements in equine piroplasmosis

Medycyna Weterynaryjna ◽

10.21521/mw.6230 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 75 (02) ◽

pp. 6230-2019

Author(s):

LORA KOENHEMSİ ◽

FATMA ATEŞ ALKAN ◽

GİULİA MORGANTİ ◽

BORA Ü. BARUTÇU ◽

ERMAN M. OR

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Economic Loss ◽

Icp Oes ◽

Theileria Equi ◽

Babesia Caballi ◽

Equine Piroplasmosis ◽

Tick Borne Disease ◽

Serum Trace Element ◽

Serum Trace Elements ◽

Significant Economic Loss

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease caused by Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, which causes a significant economic loss. The aim of this study was to determine the disease-related changes of serum trace elements that play an important role in the immune system. Our study was conducted on 20 horses with piroplasmosis and 20 healthy horses. It was performed to evaluate some of the serum trace element levels (chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg) manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), boron (B), and nickel (Ni)) in equine piroplasmosis. The elements were analyzed in serum using ICP-OES. Infected horses had significantly higher serum Mg and Mn levels. In conclusion, changes of serum trace elements in infected horses can provide valuable information about pathophysiological aspects and they are also good indicators for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment evaluation. Much more scientific research is required to evaluate the trace elements related to equine piroplasmosis.

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Tick Distribution and Detection of Babesia and Theileria Species in the East and South regions of Kazakhstan

10.21203/rs.3.rs-33830/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Chunli Sang ◽

Meihua Yang ◽

Bin Xu ◽

Guangyuan Liu ◽

Yicheng Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tick Species ◽

Dermacentor Reticulatus ◽

Control Measures ◽

Molecular Characteristics ◽

Hyalomma Anatolicum ◽

Theileria Equi ◽

Babesia Caballi ◽

Dermacentor Marginatus ◽

Tick Borne Disease ◽

First Time

Abstract Background: Piroplasmosis, caused by Theileria and Babesia species, is an economically important tick-borne disease worldwide. However, little is known about the presence of Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. in ticks from different host species in Kazakhstan. Method: We collected adult ticks at 26 sampling sites in 16 districts in the East and South regions of Kazakhstan during 2016 - 2019. Tick species were identified according to morphological and molecular characteristics. Two fragments of the 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) were used to determine the species of piroplasms. The genotype characteristics of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi were analyzed further. Results: A total of 6107 adult ticks were collected, including 2920 Dermacentor marginatus, 1442 Argas persicus, 903 Hyalomma asiaticum, 464 Hyalomma scupense, 225 Hyalomma anatolicum, 122 Rhipicephalus turanicus, 16 Haemaphysalis erinacei and 15 Dermacentor reticulatus. In these ticks five species of piroplasms, i.e. Babesia occultans, Babesia caballi, Theileria ovis, Theileria annulata and Theileria equi, were detected. Theileria equi and Babesia caballi belonged to their E and A genotype, respectively.Conclusions: Apart from Dermacentor marginatus, three Hyalomma species predominate among ticks infesting herbivorous livestock in East and South regions of Kazakhstan. 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) phylogenic analysis showed that several tick species in Kazakhstan, as exemplified by D. marginatus and Ha. erinacei, were clustered together with conspecific ticks reported from China. Babesia occultans was found for the first time in D. marginatus in Kazakhstan. Altogether five piroplasm species were detected, indicating that enhanced control measures are necessary to prevent piroplasm infection of domestic animals in this region.

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