Equine anaplasmosis and equine piroplasmosis in Germany, Austria and Switzerland – previously anecdotal, now relevant?

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) has historically been of minor concern to UK equine practitioners, primarily due to a lack of competent tick vectors. However, increased detection of EP tick vector species in the UK has been reported recently. EP screening is not currently required for equine importation, and when combined with recent relaxations in movement regulations, there is an increased risk regarding disease incursion and establishment into the UK. This study evaluated the prevalence of EP by both serology and PCR among 1242 UK equine samples submitted for EP screening between February and December 2016 to the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the Animal Health Trust. Where information was available, 81.5 per cent of submissions were for the purpose of UK export testing, and less than 0.1 per cent for UK importation. Serological prevalence of EP was 8.0 per cent, and parasite DNA was found in 0.8 per cent of samples. A subsequent analysis of PCR sensitivity in archived clinical samples indicated that the proportion of PCR-positive animals is likely to be considerably higher. The authors conclude that the current threat imposed by UK carrier horses is not adequately monitored and further measures are required to improve national biosecurity and prevent endemic disease.

Download Full-text

Equine piroplasmosis visits Australia in 2000

Australian Veterinary Journal ◽

10.1111/j.1751-0813.2000.tb11817.x ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 78 (6) ◽

pp. 380-380 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Keyword(s):

Equine Piroplasmosis

Download Full-text

Molecular detection and occurrence of equine theileriosis in Arabian horses in Al-Najaf province/Iraq

Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science ◽

10.11606/issn.1678-4456.bjvras.2020.166996 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 57 (3) ◽

pp. e166996

Author(s):

Hayder Mohammad Al-Rammahi ◽

Abdulameer Abed Hatem ◽

Asaad Chasib Al-Atabi

Keyword(s):

Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Dna Extraction ◽

Molecular Detection ◽

Molecular Technique ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Equine Piroplasmosis ◽

Polymerase Chain

This study was designed to detect equine piroplasmosis using the molecular technique in Al-Najaf province during the season that showed an increment in tick activities. Blood samples were collected from 110 horses with more than two signs of piroplasmosis. After DNA extraction, the product was examined by a polymerase chain reaction to amplify 18SrRNA. The results showed that the overall percentage of equine theileriosis was 38.18%. According to gender, the percentage of infection was 43.48% and 29.27% in females and males, respectively. Significant variations appeared between infected horses according to age, and the percentage of infection was 50% and 35.22% in less than 2 years and more than 2 years age, respectively. Moreover, the percentage of infection was 62.5% and 19.35% in animals with and without acariasis, respectively. Significant variations were also seen in equine theileriosis according to geographical areas, and the higher percentage was reported in Hera district (60.87%), while the lowest percentage was in the center of Al-Najaf (21.43%). This difference may be due to different distribution of vector of disease (tick), which may be the availability of the suitable weather that helped in the multiplication of the intermediate vectors. In conclusion, this study proved the variations in the occurrences of equine piroplasmosis according to gender, age, and geographical areas.

Download Full-text