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Veterinary parasitology2004; 123(1-2); 41-54; doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2004.04.010

Detection and identification of equine Theileria and Babesia species by reverse line blotting: epidemiological survey and phylogenetic analysis.

Abstract: Specific oligonucleotide probes were designed to develop a new and highly sensitive reverse line blot assay to detect and identify simultaneously different Theileria and Babesia species in horses. The amplified hypervariable V4 region of the 18S rRNA gene was hybridised against different generic and species-specific probes. The survey was conducted over 243 samples of equine blood divided into three different groups: group 1, 24 horses presented as possible clinical piroplasmosis; group 2, 181 clinically healthy free-ranging horses exposed to ticks; group 3, 38 riding horses with unrelated pathologies and low or no contact with ticks. The study demonstrated a high piroplasm prevalence in the first two groups of animals. Two Theileria genotypes sharing 96.8% similarity between their 18S rRNA gene sequences and two Babesia genotypes sharing 97.4% similarity, were identified. The biologic meaning of such genotypes is discussed in terms of their phylogenetic relationships and potential pathogenicity.
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Publication Date: 2004-07-22 PubMed ID: 15265570DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2004.04.010Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 developed a highly sensitive test to simultaneously identify and detect different forms of Theileria and Babesia in horses. The method was applied to various groups of horses to examine the prevalence of piroplasmosis. The study also identified genotypes of the two parasites and discussed their potential pathogenicity.

Study Objectives and Methodology

  • The goal of the research was to create a sensitive and accurate reverse line blot assay to simultaneously detect and distinguish different species of the Theileria and Babesia parasites in horses.
  • The researchers designed specific oligonucleotide probes for this purpose, which were used to analyze the hypervariable V4 region of the 18S rRNA gene of the parasites.
  • The new assay was then utilized in an epidemiological survey, applied to 243 blood samples from horses.
  • The samples were divided into three groups: horses with possible clinical piroplasmosis; free-ranging healthy horses exposed to ticks; riding horses with unrelated ailments and limited tick exposure.

Findings and Analysis

  • The study found a high prevalence of piroplasmosis, a parasitic disease caused by Theileria and Babesia, in the first two groups of horses.
  • Genetic analysis identified two distinct Theileria genotypes sharing 96.8% similarity in their 18S rRNA gene sequences.
  • Also, two unique Babesia genotypes sharing 97.4% similarity were detected.
  • The researchers discussed the biological significance of these genotypes, considering their phylogenetic relationships with other known species and their potential pathogenicity.

Implications and Potential Applications

  • This study has contributed a new sensitive assay technique for diagnosing parasitic infection in horses, which can simultaneously identify different species of Theileria and Babesia.
  • The research also helped in determining the prevalence of piroplasmosis, which may be beneficial in preventive measures and disease control strategies.
  • The genotypes identified contribute further to the knowledge of these parasites and may help scientists better understand the pathologies of these diseases and develop new, targeted treatments.
  • The phylogenetic analysis offers greater insight into the genetic relationships of these parasites and their potential evolution.

Cite This Article

APA
Nagore D, García-Sanmartín J, García-Pérez AL, Juste RA, Hurtado A. (2004). Detection and identification of equine Theileria and Babesia species by reverse line blotting: epidemiological survey and phylogenetic analysis. Vet Parasitol, 123(1-2), 41-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2004.04.010

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 0304-4017
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 123
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 41-54

Researcher Affiliations

Nagore, Daniel
  • Department of Animal Health, Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario (NEIKER) Berreaga 1, Derio, 48160 Bizkaia, Spain.
García-Sanmartín, Josune
    García-Pérez, Ana L
      Juste, Ramón A
        Hurtado, Ana

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Babesia / genetics
          • Babesiosis / epidemiology
          • Babesiosis / parasitology
          • Babesiosis / veterinary
          • Base Sequence
          • DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
          • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
          • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
          • Horse Diseases / parasitology
          • Horses
          • Molecular Sequence Data
          • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
          • Phylogeny
          • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
          • Prevalence
          • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / chemistry
          • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics
          • Sensitivity and Specificity
          • Sequence Alignment
          • Spain / epidemiology
          • Theileria / genetics
          • Theileriasis / epidemiology
          • Theileriasis / parasitology
          • Ticks / parasitology

          Citations

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