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Veterinary parasitology2010; 175(3-4); 363-366; doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.10.019

A case of transplacental transmission of Theileria equi in a foal in Trinidad.

Abstract: Equine piroplasmosis due to Theileria equi and Babesia caballi is endemic in Trinidad. A case of equine piroplasmosis due to T. equi was diagnosed in a thoroughbred foal at 10h post-partum. A high parasitaemia (63%) of piroplasms was observed in a Wright-Giemsa(®) stained thin blood smear from the foal. In addition, the 18S rRNA gene for Babesia/Theileria was amplified from DNA extracted from the blood of the foal and the mare. Amplified products were subjected to a reverse line blot hybridization assay (RLB), which confirmed the presence of T. equi DNA in the foal. The mare was negative by RLB but was positive for T. equi using a nested PCR and sequence analysis. In areas where equine piroplasmosis is endemic, severe jaundice in a post-partum foal may be easily misdiagnosed as neonatal isoerythrolysis. Foals with post-partum jaundice should be screened for equine piroplasmosis, which may be confirmed using molecular methods if available.
Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2010-10-20 PubMed ID: 21051152DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.10.019Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 research article explores a unique case of transplacental transmission of Theileria equi, a parasite causing equine piroplasmosis, from a mare to its foal in Trinidad.

Objective of the Study

  • The study aimed to investigate and document a case of Theileria equi infection in a newborn foal, a rarely reported transmission mode for the parasite. The infection is suspected to have been transmitted transplacentally from the mare to the offspring.

Methodology of the Study

  • The investigation began when a thoroughbred foal was diagnosed with equine piroplasmosis just 10 hours post-birth. Blood smear tests conducted showed high parasitaemia (63%) of piroplasms, indicative of T. equi infection.
  • To confirm T. equi presence, the researchers used molecular methods. They extracted DNA from the foal and the mare’s blood, amplified the 18S rRNA gene for Babesia/Theileria, and subjected the amplified products to a reverse line blot hybridization assay (RLB).

Findings of the Study

  • The RLB test confirmed the presence of T. equi DNA in the foal. The mare, despite being RLB negative, was also confirmed to be infected with T. equi. This infection was detected using a nested PCR and sequence analysis method.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • The research concluded that equine piroplasmosis could be transmitted transplacentally, suggesting that T. equi infection in foals could be misdiagnosed as neonatal isoerythrolysis, another cause of severe jaundice in newborn foals.
  • The researchers recommended that routine screening for equine piroplasmosis should be established for foals showing post-partum jaundice, particularly in areas where the disease is endemic like Trinidad. They emphasized that molecular methods could be employed for accurate diagnosis.

Cite This Article

APA
Georges KC, Ezeokoli CD, Sparagano O, Pargass I, Campbell M, D'Abadie R, Yabsley MJ. (2010). A case of transplacental transmission of Theileria equi in a foal in Trinidad. Vet Parasitol, 175(3-4), 363-366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.10.019

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 1873-2550
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 175
Issue: 3-4
Pages: 363-366

Researcher Affiliations

Georges, Karla C
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, EWMSC, Mt. Hope, Trinidad and Tobago. karla.georges@sta.uwi.edu
Ezeokoli, Chuckwudozi D
    Sparagano, Olivier
      Pargass, Indira
        Campbell, Mervyn
          D'Abadie, Roger
            Yabsley, Michael J

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Animals, Newborn / parasitology
              • DNA, Protozoan / isolation & purification
              • Erythrocytes / parasitology
              • Female
              • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
              • Horse Diseases / parasitology
              • Horse Diseases / transmission
              • Horses
              • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical
              • Jaundice / parasitology
              • Jaundice / veterinary
              • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
              • Parasitemia / diagnosis
              • Parasitemia / parasitology
              • Parasitemia / transmission
              • Pregnancy
              • Theileria / classification
              • Theileria / genetics
              • Theileria / pathogenicity
              • Theileriasis / diagnosis
              • Theileriasis / parasitology
              • Theileriasis / transmission
              • Trinidad and Tobago

              Citations

              This article has been cited 14 times.
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