A field survey for the seroprevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in donkeys from Nuu Division, Kenya.

This study investigates the prevalence of equine piroplasmosis in donkeys in semi-arid Kenya. The study found that around 81.2% of the donkeys were exposed to one of the causative agents of the disease, Theileria equi, while no antibodies against the other agent, Babesia caballi, were detected.

Study Objective and Method

• The purpose of this research was to determine the prevalence of haemoprotozoans Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, which cause equine piroplasmosis, within the donkey populace in the Nuu division, Kenya. This is one of the significant tick-borne diseases affecting equids.
• Additionally, the research aimed at assessing if age or sex of the donkey impacted the seroprevalence.
• To achieve these objectives, the researchers employed a stratified sampling approach. They tested 314 donkeys from nine sub-locations in the Nuu division of the Mwingi district.
• A competitive inhibition enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) method was used for serodiagnosis.

Study Findings

• The researchers found 81.2% of the donkeys to be seropositive for T. equi with a 95% confidence interval between 76.4% and 85.4%.
• Interestingly, the study found no significant difference in seropositivity based on sub-location, gender, or age of the donkeys.
• Unfortunately, no antibodies against B. caballi were detected within the tested sample group, providing a 95% confidence interval between 0% and 1.2%.

Implications

• The findings suggest that the T. equi infection is endemic within the Nuu division, existing in a state of endemic stability. Endemic stability refers to a situation where all, or nearly all, animals in a specific locale are exposed to the pathogen at an early age, most recovering from infection and retaining immunity.
• Despite the high occurrence, the age or sex of the donkeys do not influence the seroprevalence of T. equi.
• This high prevalence necessitates knowledge dissemination to animal health practitioners and local communities that own donkeys in the area. This awareness could help them better manage and control the spread of this endemic disease.