A case of equine piroplasmosis in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Abstract: Equine piroplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by Babesia caballi and Theileria equi. A competition horse that had been imported to the Equestrian Park for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and had a fever over 40°C and severe anemia was diagnosed with equine piroplasmosis by blood smear and direct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for Theileria equi. Treatment with protozoan anthelmintics and whole blood transfusion diminished the fever, improved the anemia, and allowed the horse to return home safely. Preparation for routine cases of this infection should include the development of a system that allows accurate and prompt international dissemination of information and implementation of quarantine measures.
©2023 The Japanese Society of Equine Science.
Publication Date: 2023-09-08 PubMed ID: 37781566PubMed Central: PMC10534063DOI: 10.1294/jes.34.93Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The study discusses a case of equine piroplasmosis, an infectious disease caused by Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, found in a competition horse during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and how prompt treatment and quarantine measures ensured the horse’s recovery.
Disease Description and Diagnosis
- The research centers around an incident involving a competitive horse showing symptoms of severe fever (above 40°C) and anemia. These are symptoms of equine piroplasmosis, a disease caused by parasites Babesia caballi and Theileria equi.
- Upon observation, the horse was diagnosed with equine piroplasmosis, confirmed by blood smear testing and direct polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests which specifically targeted the known causative parasite, Theileria equi.
Treatment and Recovery
- The treatment approach for the affected horse included the use of protozoan anthelmintics, which are drugs designed to combat parasitic infections.
- In addition to the use of protozoan anthelmintics, a whole blood transfusion was carried out. This practice is often performed in severe cases of anemia to restore the horse’s normal blood function rapidly.
- Following the treatment, there was observable improvement in the horse’s condition, with a reduction in fever and recovery from anemia.
- A successful outcome of this treatment strategy meant the horse could be safely returned to its home after recovery, preventing potential widespread of the infection.
Preventive Measures and Recommendations
- The researchers strongly suggest the development of a systematic approach to handle such cases in international equestrian events.
- This system should allow for accurate and prompt global sharing of information, which will lead to timely identification and effective control of potential disease spread.
- They also underscore the importance of implementing quarantine measures in managing cases of equine piroplasmosis to avoid possible transmission to other horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Aida H, Foreman JH, Ochi A, Takizawa Y, Yamanaka T.
(2023).
A case of equine piroplasmosis in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
J Equine Sci, 34(3), 93-99.
https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.34.93 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Department, Japan Racing Association, Tokyo 105-0003, Japan.
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
- Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi 329-0412, Japan.
- Equine Department, Japan Racing Association, Tokyo 105-0003, Japan.
- Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi 329-0412, Japan.
References
This article includes 14 references
- Abutarbush SM, Alfaqeeh SM, Mustafa G, Qura’n L, Al-Majali AM. Evaluation of the use of atropine sulfate, a combination of butylscopolammonium bromide and metamizole sodium, and flunixin meglumine to ameliorate clinical adverse effects of imidocarb dipropionate in horses.. Am. J. Vet. Res. 2013;74:1404–1408.
- InternationalnAnimal Health Affairs Office Animal Health Division, Ministry ofnAgriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. 2021. Hygiene management consignmentnbusiness at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games equestrian stadium. Businessnsummary from 2016–2021 (in Japanese). https://www.maff.go.jp/j/budget/yosan_kansi/sikkou/tokutei_keihi/seika_R03/attach/pdf/itaku_R03_ippan-611.pdfn[accessed on May 1, 2022].
- InternationalnAnimal Health Affairs Office, Animal Health Division Food Safety and Consumer AffairsnBureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan.n2021. Self-declaration of an Equine Disease-Free Zone in Tokyo, Japan, fornthe purpose of facilitating the Equestrian competitions of Tokyo 2020 Olympic andnParalympic Games. https://www.woah.org/app/uploads/2021/07/2021–06-japan-edfzannexes.pdfn[accessed on May 1, 2022].
- Kappmeyer LS, Thiagarajan M, Herndon DR, Ramsay JD, Caler E, Djikeng A, Gillespie JJ, Lau AO, Roalson EH, Silva JC, Silva MG, Suarez CE, Ueti MW, Nene VM, Mealey RH, Knowles DP, Brayton KA. Comparative genomic analysis and phylogenetic position of Theileria equi.. BMC Genomics 2012;13:603.
- Nicholson WL, Sonenshine DE, Noden BH, Brown RN. Medical and veterinary entomology.. 2019;pp. 603–672 In: Ticks [Ixodida], Elsevier, Amsterdam.
- Onyiche TE, Suganuma K, Igarashi I, Yokoyama N, Xuan X, Thekisoe O. A review on equine piroplasmosis: epidemiology, vector ecology, risk factors, host immunity, diagnosis and control.. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019;16:1736.
- Rothschild CM. Equine piroplasmosis.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2013;33:497–508.
- Sellon DC, Wise N. Disorders of the hematopoietic system.. 2010;p. 766. In: Equine Internal Medicine, 3rd ed. (Reed, SM, Bayly, VM, and Sellon, DC eds.), Sanders Elsevier, St. Louis.
- Tirosh-Levy S, Gottlieb Y, Fry LM, Knowles DP, Steinman A. Twenty years of equine piroplasmosis research: global distribution, molecular diagnosis, and phylogeny.. Pathogens 2020;9:926.
- Tuvshintulga B, Nugraha AB, Mizutani T, Liu M, Ishizaki T, Sivakumar T, Xuan X, Yokoyama N, Igarashi I. Development of a stable transgenic Theileria equi parasite expressing an enhanced green fluorescent protein/blasticidin S deaminase.. Sci. Rep. 2021;11:9107.
- Ueti MW, Mealey RH, Kappmeyer LS, White SN, Kumpula-McWhirter N, Pelzel AM, Grause JF, Bunn TO, Schwartz A, Traub-Dargatz JL, Hendrickson A, Espy B, Guthrie AJ, Fowler WK, Knowles DP. Re-emergence of the apicomplexan Theileria equi in the United States: elimination of persistent infection and transmission risk.. PLoS One 2012;7:e44713.
- VeterinarynMedication.n2023. Veterinary Regulation, 15th ed., effective 1 January 2023. p. 49.nFederation Equestre Internationale. https://inside.fei.org/content/fei-veterinary-rules [accessed on May 1,n2022].
- Wise LN, Kappmeyer LS, Mealey RH, Knowles DP. Review of equine piroplasmosis.. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 2013;27:1334–1346.
- Zobba R, Ardu M, Niccolini S, Chessa B, Manna L, Cocco R, Parpaglia MLP. Clinical and laboratory findings in equine piroplasmosis.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2008;28:301–308.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
