A perspective on Theileria equi infections in donkeys.
Abstract: The donkey population has remained unchanged in the last two decades despite a decrease in the overall population of equids, emphasizing the usefulness of the donkey as a draught and pack animal. Piroplasmosis in donkeys, caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, has been recognized as a serious problem of major economic importance as the affected animals manifest decreased working capacity, loss of appetite, etc. In tropical countries, T. equi infections are more wide-spread and pathogenic than those caused by B. caballi. Donkeys usually remain asymptomatic carriers with positive antibody titres throughout life. Transmission of infection occurs from animal to animal through ticks such as Hyalomma spp. Rhipicephalus spp. and Dermacentor spp. The clinical form of the disease is diagnosed by peripheral blood smear examination, but in carrier donkeys it is very difficult to demonstrate the parasite in stained blood smears as the parasitaemia is extremely low. For diagnosis of such low grade infection or carrier animals, serological tests and DNA-based molecular diagnostic techniques, which are discussed in the present review, have become mandatory. Currently, there is no suitable pharmacotherapy available to clear the T. equi infection from affected donkeys, though some new drugs and drug combinations used against this disease condition have been discussed. In the present situation, there is an urgent need for international cooperation and coordination for development of sensitive molecular diagnostic tools and effective pharmacotherapies for curtailment of the disease condition. Hence, it is imperative to develop and exchange reagents and technology developed through human resource sharing in the interest of sustainability of donkey husbandry.
Publication Date: 2009-04-11 PubMed ID: 19358444
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- Journal Article
- Review
Summary
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The research provides an analysis of Theileria equi infections in donkeys, a piroplasmic disease that affects these animals’ productivity, with an emphasis on the requirements for better diagnostic tools and treatments.
The State of Donkey Population
- Despite the overall decrease in equids (a family that includes horses, donkeys, and zebras), the donkey population has remained stable due to their utility as pack and draught animals.
Piroplasmosis in Donkeys
- The spread of piroplasmosis, a disease caused by parasite infections from Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, decreases the productivity of donkeys, leading to substantial economic losses.
- In tropical countries, T. equi infections surpass those of B. caballi in both pervasiveness and severity.
- While donkeys infected with T. equi tend to become asymptomatic carriers, they retain positive antibody titres during their whole life, which means the presence of the parasite can be detected in their blood.
Transmission and Diagnosis
- Disease transmission occurs animal-to-animal via ticks from the species Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus, and Dermacentor.
- The clinical form of the disease is typically diagnosed by examining a peripheral blood smear. However, in carrier donkeys with very low parasite levels (parasitaemia), this method is not successful.
- To diagnose such low-grade infections, it’s essential to use serological tests (which detect antibodies in the blood) and DNA-based molecular diagnostic techniques.
Current Treatment and Future Needs
- There is no reliable pharmacotherapy to treat T. equi infections in donkeys at the moment, although several new medications and drug combinations are presently being explored.
- Given the current situation, there is a pressing need for international collaboration to develop more sensitive molecular diagnostic tools and effective treatments to control this disease.
- The authors assert that it is of utmost importance to exchange knowledge, technological advancements, and other resources to ensure the sustainability of donkey husbandry.
Cite This Article
APA
Kumar S, Kumar R, Sugimoto C.
(2009).
A perspective on Theileria equi infections in donkeys.
Jpn J Vet Res, 56(4), 171-180.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- National Research Center on Equines, Sirsa Road, Hisar 125 001, Haryana, India. nrcequine@nic.in
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use
- Babesia / isolation & purification
- Babesiosis / diagnosis
- Babesiosis / drug therapy
- Babesiosis / transmission
- Babesiosis / veterinary
- Carrier State / veterinary
- Equidae / parasitology
- Female
- Male
- Theileria / isolation & purification
- Theileriasis / diagnosis
- Theileriasis / drug therapy
- Theileriasis / epidemiology
- Theileriasis / transmission
- Tick Control
- Ticks / parasitology
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
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