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Parasitology research2007; 102(1); 63-68; doi: 10.1007/s00436-007-0726-1

Detection and molecular characterization of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi isolates from endemic areas of Brazil.

Abstract: Blood samples were collected from 487 adult horses, including 83 pregnant mares, at a slaughterhouse located in Araguari, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. For each blood sample, the packed cell volume (PCV) was determined, and Giemsa-stained smears were microscopically examined for the presence of hemoparasites. The plasma was examined by the indirect fluorescent antibody test for detection of antibodies against Babesia caballi and Theileria equi. In addition, DNA was extracted and analyzed by a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), specific for B. caballi and T. equi. Products of PCR were sequenced and compared with each other and with known sequences. The serological results showed a total prevalence of 91.0% for T. equi and 83.0% for B. caballi, while by PCR, prevalences of 59.7% for T. equi and 12.5% for B. caballi were observed. However, no correlations were seen between positivity (neither by serology nor by PCR) and PCV values. As expected, the microscopic examination of blood smears showed low sensitivity in detecting the infections when compared to the PCR. Only 35 out of 570 blood smears were positive, with parasitemias below 0.1%. No congenital transmission was detectable. As far as sequencing is concerned, no differences were seen among the isolates of each species nor among them and known sequences available. These results confirm, by molecular methods, the high prevalence rates of T. equi and B. caballi infections in carrier horses in Brazil. However, no diversity was observed among the isolates within the studied regions.
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Publication Date: 2007-09-09 PubMed ID: 17828553DOI: 10.1007/s00436-007-0726-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 study investigated the presence and types of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi infections in horses in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, with the finding that these infections are highly prevalent but show no significant diversity among strains.

Sampling and Testing

  • Blood samples were procured from 487 adult horses in a slaughterhouse in Araguari, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. To ensure varied sampling, 83 pregnant mares were also included in the study.
  • The blood was tested for hemoparasites, entities that live in blood, observed through Giemsa-stained slides under a microscope.
  • An indirect fluorescent antibody test was used to identify the presence of antibodies against Babesia caballi and Theileria equi- the two parasites of interest in the study. The former is a protozoan parasite that causes equine piroplasmosis, and the latter is another parasite causing a similar disease in horses.
  • DNA was extracted from the blood samples and analyzed using a specific test called Multiplex real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) designed for the detection of both pathogens.

Findings

  • The serological test, which detects the presence of specific antibodies showed 91.0% prevalence of T. equi and 83.0% prevalence for B. caballi.
  • The PCR test showed prevalence rates of 59.7% for T. equi and 12.5% for B. caballi.
  • There was no correlation between positivity for either parasite as detected by serology or PCR and the packed cell volume values. This suggests that the presence of parasites does not necessarily relate to any change in these specific blood properties.
  • As expected, microscopic examination proved less effective in detecting the infections, with parasitemias below 0.1% in just 35 out of 570 blood smears.
  • No evidence for congenital transmission of either parasite was found in the study.

Genetic Analysis

  • The DNA of detected parasites was sequenced and compared within the sample group and with known reference sequences.
  • Results showed no significant genetic differences among the samples of the same species and comparing them with established sequences. This finding meant that there was minimal variation in the strains of parasites found among the horses in the studied region.

Conclusion

  • The research confirmed high prevalence rates of T. equi and B. caballi infections in the Brazilian horse population, using highly sensitive tests.
  • However, low genetic divergence in the offending parasites suggests a common source or lack of selective pressure to yield strain variations.

Cite This Article

APA
Heim A, Passos LM, Ribeiro MF, Costa-Júnior LM, Bastos CV, Cabral DD, Hirzmann J, Pfister K. (2007). Detection and molecular characterization of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi isolates from endemic areas of Brazil. Parasitol Res, 102(1), 63-68. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-007-0726-1

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 102
Issue: 1
Pages: 63-68

Researcher Affiliations

Heim, Alexandra
  • Institute for Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Leopoldstr. 5, 80802, Munich, Germany.
Passos, Lygia M F
    Ribeiro, Múcio F B
      Costa-Júnior, Lívio M
        Bastos, Camila V
          Cabral, Dagmar D
            Hirzmann, Jörg
              Pfister, Kurt

                MeSH Terms

                • Animals
                • Babesia / classification
                • Babesia / genetics
                • Babesiosis / blood
                • Babesiosis / epidemiology
                • Babesiosis / parasitology
                • Babesiosis / veterinary
                • Brazil / epidemiology
                • Female
                • Horse Diseases / blood
                • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                • Horse Diseases / parasitology
                • Horses
                • Prevalence
                • Theileria / classification
                • Theileria / genetics
                • Theileriasis / blood
                • Theileriasis / epidemiology
                • Theileriasis / parasitology

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