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Home / Equine Research Bank / Parasitology / Age-dependent dynamics of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi...
Parasitology2007; 134(Pt 7); 939-947; doi: 10.1017/S0031182007002405

Age-dependent dynamics of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in southwest Mongolia based on IFAT and/or PCR prevalence data from domestic horses and ticks.

Abstract: Epidemiological factors of tick-borne equine piroplasmoses, caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, were investigated using logistic regression (GLM) and general additive models (GAM) based on the prevalences determined in 510 domestic horses and in ticks in S.W. Mongolia by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and/or multiplex PCR. Prevalences of T. equi and B. caballi in horses were 66.5% (95% CI: 62.1-70.7) and 19.1% (15.6-22.9), respectively by PCR and 78.8% (74.9-82.3) and 65.7% (61.3-69.9) by IFAT. Of 166 ticks analysed from PCR- and IFAT-negative horses 1 was PCR positive for B. caballi and none for T. equi. GAM demonstrated non-linear increasing proportions of T. equi-PCR and -IFAT positive horses with age suggesting persistent infection. In contrast, the B. caballi-PCR prevalence decreased with age despite a concurrent increase in the proportion of IFAT-positive animals suggesting parasite elimination. The tick (Dermacentor nuttalli) burden of the horses increased with age and decreased with advancing season. Geldings were more likely to be infected with, and seroconvert to, T. equi. Neither herd affiliation, date of sample collection nor abundance of tick infestation had a significant influence on parasite prevalence.
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Publication Date: 2007-02-19 PubMed ID: 17306055DOI: 10.1017/S0031182007002405Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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The research investigates the epidemiological aspects of the diseases tick-borne equine piroplasmoses, caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, in horses and ticks in southwest Mongolia. It found that both diseases show unique patterns of infection associated with a horse’s age and gender, while no correlation was found with other factors such as date of sample collection or tick infestation abundance.

Study Methodology and Fieldwork

  • The study used two models, logistic regression (GLM) and general additive models (GAM), and conducted tests via indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and/or multiplex PCR.
  • Investigations were carried out on a sample group of 510 domestic horses in S.W. Mongolia, testing the prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi.
  • Ticks collected from horses were also tested for both pathogens.

Findings on Theileria equi and Babesia caballi Prevalence

  • The research found that 66.5% of the tested horses were positive for T. equi and 19.1% for B. caballi when tested through PCR.
  • When tested via IFAT, 78.8% were found positive for T. equi and 65.7% for B. caballi.
  • Only one out of 166 ticks collected from PCR- and IFAT-negative horses, tested positive for B. caballi, while none were found positive for T. equi.

Impact of Age, Gender, and Season on Disease Prevalence

  • The GAM demonstrated that the proportions of T. equi-infected horses, tested both through PCR and IFAT, increased with age, suggesting possible persistent infection.
  • Contrastingly, the prevalence of B. caballi decreased with age (as tested by PCR) despite increasing IFAT-positive cases, indicating potential parasite elimination over time.
  • The study further found that the tick (Dermacentor nuttalli) infestation in horses increased with age and decreased as the season advanced.
  • Among the horses, geldings (castrated males) were found more likely to be infected by, and seroconvert to, T. equi.

Factors with No Significant Influence on Disease Prevalence

  • The research could not find a significant impact of the horses’ herd affiliation, the date of sample collection, or the abundance of tick infestation on the prevalence of either pathogen.

Cite This Article

APA
Rüegg SR, Torgerson P, Deplazes P, Mathis A. (2007). Age-dependent dynamics of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in southwest Mongolia based on IFAT and/or PCR prevalence data from domestic horses and ticks. Parasitology, 134(Pt 7), 939-947. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182007002405

Publication

Parasitology
ISSN: 0031-1820
NlmUniqueID: 0401121
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 134
Issue: Pt 7
Pages: 939-947

Researcher Affiliations

Rüegg, S R
  • Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266A, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Torgerson, P
    Deplazes, P
      Mathis, A

        MeSH Terms

        • Age Factors
        • Animals
        • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
        • Arachnid Vectors / parasitology
        • Babesia / isolation & purification
        • Babesia / pathogenicity
        • Babesiosis / epidemiology
        • Babesiosis / parasitology
        • Babesiosis / veterinary
        • Cross-Sectional Studies
        • DNA Primers / chemistry
        • Dermacentor / parasitology
        • Female
        • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / veterinary
        • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
        • Horse Diseases / parasitology
        • Horses
        • Male
        • Models, Statistical
        • Mongolia / epidemiology
        • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
        • Reproducibility of Results
        • Theileria / isolation & purification
        • Theileria / pathogenicity
        • Theileriasis / epidemiology
        • Theileriasis / parasitology
        • Tick Infestations / epidemiology
        • Tick Infestations / veterinary

        Citations

        This article has been cited 26 times.
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