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Parasitology research2010; 106(6); 1339-1342; doi: 10.1007/s00436-010-1804-3

A PCR study of piroplasms in 166 dogs and 111 horses in France (March 2006 to March 2008).

Abstract: Positive PCR results for piroplasms were obtained on EDTA blood samples from 166 dogs and 111 horses between March 2006 and March 2008. The organisms were initially identified using common primers, followed by restriction enzyme profiles to determine the species and types of Babesia/Theileria. In 27 dogs and eight horses with positive results, the size of the specimen was insufficient to separate species/types. We identified Babesia canis canis in 105 of the 166 dogs (63%) and Theileria equi in 89 of the 111 horses (80%). Babesia caballi was also present, but rare, in only two Babesia/Theileria of the 111 horses (1.2%). Unexpected findings were the identification of T. equi in 31 of the 166 dogs (19%), of B. caballi in one of the 166 dogs (0.6%), of B. canis canis in 11 of 111 horses (10%), as well as of Babesia canis rossi in one of 111 horses (0.9%). A positive result for B. canis rossi was also obtained in one of the 166 dogs (0.6%). A single case of the California type of "Babesia gibsoni" (presumably Babesia conradae) was found in a dog. We did not detect Babesia canis vogeli, possibly because of the geographic distribution of our clients. The unusual results were confirmed by DNA sequencing in several cases for B. canis canis and B. canis rossi in horses, as well as T. equi in dogs. Such infections might explain the difficulties met in some unsuccessfully treated animals using the standard dosage of imidocarb dipropionate at 3 mg/kg in dogs.
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Publication Date: 2010-03-10 PubMed ID: 20221639DOI: 10.1007/s00436-010-1804-3Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

This research explored the prevalence of piroplasms, a type of parasite, in dogs and horses in France over a two-year period. The study found that these parasites, specifically the species Babesia and Theileria, were present in a large number of the animals tested.

Objectives and Methods

  • The research sought to identify the presence of piroplasms, a harmful parasite commonly affecting both dogs and horses, over the course of two years (from March 2006 to March 2008).
  • The study tested EDTA blood samples from 166 dogs and 111 horses in France.
  • The researchers employed Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology to test the samples, an efficient method for amplifying small samples of DNA. They initially identified any present organisms with common primers, then used restriction enzymes to determine the species and types of Babesia/Theileria.

Findings

  • Babesia canis canis was identified in 105 of the 166 dogs (that’s roughly 63%), and Theileria equi was identified in 89 of the 111 horses (around 80%).
  • Babesia caballi was also present, but significantly rarer, being found in only two of the 111 horses (1.2%).
  • Of the total of 166 dogs, 31 (19%) were found to be carrying T. equi, and one dog (0.6%) was carrying B. caballi.
  • Interestingly, B. canis canis was found in 11 of the 111 horses (around 10%), and one horse (0.9%) tested positive for Babesia canis rossi.
  • One dog also tested positive for B. canis rossi (0.6%).
  • Furthermore, a singular case of Babesia gibsoni, specifically the “California type” (presumably Babesia conradae), was identified in a dog.
  • Theileria equi and B. canis canis were also identified in several horses, based on DNA sequencing.

Significance and Conclusions

  • These findings are of significance as the standard dosage of imidocarb dipropionate, a common treatment for these infections at a dosage of 3 mg/kg in dogs, might not be effective in all cases.
  • The detection of unexpected piroplasms in these animals might explain certain treatment failures. In other words, the standard treatment might not be potent enough to combat these parasites effectively.
  • It’s worth noting that the researchers did not detect Babesia canis vogeli, which could potentially be due to geographical limitations in their client base.

Cite This Article

APA
Fritz D. (2010). A PCR study of piroplasms in 166 dogs and 111 horses in France (March 2006 to March 2008). Parasitol Res, 106(6), 1339-1342. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-1804-3

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 106
Issue: 6
Pages: 1339-1342

Researcher Affiliations

Fritz, Denis
  • European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, Companion Animal Laboratory, 1 rue Salomon Rachi, BP 613, 10088 Troyes Cedex, France. calfritz@orange.fr

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Babesia / genetics
  • Babesia / isolation & purification
  • Babesiosis / parasitology
  • Blood / parasitology
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • DNA, Protozoan / isolation & purification
  • Dog Diseases / parasitology
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Parasitology / methods
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Theileria / genetics
  • Theileria / isolation & purification
  • Theileriasis / parasitology

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This article has been cited 20 times.
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