[Detection of Babesia caballi (Nuttall, 1910) and Theileria equi (Syn. Babesia equi , Laveran, 1901) by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in show and sport horses in the region of Ankara].

This research study aimed to compare the detection methods of two parasites, Babesia caballi and Theileria equi which infect horses, using conventional microscopic examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The investigation was specifically carried out among show and sport horses in the Ankara region in Turkey. Results showed that PCR was more effective in detection than microscopic examination.

Research Methodology

• The researchers collected blood samples from 200 show and sports horses from the Ankara region. Sampling was done randomly during the tick season, before it, and after it in the year 2004.
• Each blood sample was subjected to PCR testing, a technique used for making several copies of a specific DNA segment. This method is used to detect the presence of certain pathogenic species and determine their prevalence.
• At the same time, blood smears were stained with a dye known as Giemsa, a widely used stain in parasitology that stains the parasites present in a vivid color, enabling their detection under a microscope.

Findings

• Microscopic examination of the stained blood smears found evidence of the parasites in 3% of the samples. Meanwhile, the PCR test detected the parasites in 10% of the samples (3% B.caballi; 7% T.equi).
• The difference between the results of the two testing methods was found to be statistically significant, with a p-value of less than 0.001. This indicated that the PCR method was more effective at detecting Babesia caballi and Theileria equi than traditional microscopic examination.
• This study was significant as it was the first time PCR testing was used to detect Babesia species in horses in Turkey.
• The researchers also found that Theileria equi was more prevalent than Babesia caballi among the horse populations tested.

Interestingly, the study highlights the efficacy of PCR as a diagnostic tool in detecting parasitic infections in horses, and potentially other animals. Furthermore, it raises awareness about the two parasites and their prevalence, prompting the need for more efficient preventive and control measures.