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Veterinary parasitology2013; 196(1-2); 37-43; doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.02.004

Detection of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in Venezuelan horses using Competitive-Inhibition ELISA and PCR.

Abstract: The focus of this study was the detection of equine piroplasmosis in Distrito Capital, Miranda, Aragua, Guárico and Apure States from Venezuela, using two methods: Competitive-Inhibition ELISA and multiplex PCR and the analysis of the possible differences in occurrence in relation to the primary purpose of the horses, which is related to varied degrees of exposure to tick. Antibody levels to Babesia caballi and Theileria equi were assessed in 694 equine serum samples using Competitive-Inhibition ELISA, while PCR assays were performed in 136 horses, using two sets of oligonucleotides to establish the presence of T. equi, B. caballi or both. The overall seroprevalence of equine piroplasmosis was 50.2%, antibodies to B. caballi were found in 161 horses (23.2%), whereas 97 (14.0%) were seropositive to T. equi and 90 (13.0%) were positives to both parasites (mixed infections). PCR determinations (n=136) showed a prevalence of 66.2%, distributed in 84 (61.8% positives) for T. equi and, 6 (4.4%) were positive to both parasites. The cELISA showed higher levels of prevalence of B. caballi and mixed infections, as compared to the PCR method. This discrepancy can be explained by the different parameters that are evaluated by each technique, PCR detect the parasite itself, while cELISA detects antibodies to the parasite. By PCR, the highest prevalence was found in Apure state, where 92.3% of the samples were positive to T. equi infections. In this locality, free grazing animals are used for livestock management. This high prevalence may be linked to the tick species present in that area. More epidemiological studies will be necessary to assess the epidemiological status of equine piroplasmosis in Venezuela.
Published by Elsevier B.V.
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Publication Date: 2013-03-05 PubMed ID: 23582233DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.02.004Google 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 article aims at detecting the presence of equine piroplasmosis, specifically Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections, in horses in various regions in Venezuela using two different testing methods: Competitive-Inhibition ELISA and PCR.

Research Methodology and Implementation

  • The study focused on equine piroplasmosis detection across five states in Venezuela, taking into consideration the level of exposure these horses have to ticks.
  • Data was collected from 694 equine serum samples for Competitive-Inhibition ELISA (cELISA), while PCR assays were performed on 136 horses
  • The researchers designed multiplex PCR tests with two sets of oligonucleotides to detect the presence of T. equi, B. caballi, or both in the samples.

Findings and Results

  • The overall detected seroprevalence of equine piroplasmosis stood at approximately 50.2%.
  • Antibodies to B. caballi were found in 23.2% of the horses, 14% showed a reaction for T. equi, and mixed infections were detected in approximately 13% of the population.
  • PCR tests showed a prevalence of 66.2%, with 61.8% being positive for T. equi and 4.4% showing positive for both infections.
  • The cELISA method indicated higher levels of B. caballi and mixed infection prevalence compared to the PCR method. The authors attribute this discrepancy to the different parameters that each technique evaluates: PCR tests detect the parasite itself, while cELISA looks for antibodies to the parasite.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • The highest prevalence was noted in the Apure state where 92.3% of samples showed positive for T. equi infections, mainly due to tick species present in that locale and livestock management techniques that involve free grazing.
  • The authors suggest further epidemiological studies for a thorough understanding of the epidemiological status of equine piroplasmosis in Venezuela.

Cite This Article

APA
Rosales R, Rangel-Rivas A, Escalona A, Jordan LS, Gonzatti MI, Aso PM, Perrone T, Silva-Iturriza A, Mijares A. (2013). Detection of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in Venezuelan horses using Competitive-Inhibition ELISA and PCR. Vet Parasitol, 196(1-2), 37-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.02.004

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 1873-2550
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 196
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 37-43
PII: S0304-4017(13)00116-7

Researcher Affiliations

Rosales, Romel
  • Laboratorio de Fisiología de Parásitos, CBB, IVIC, 1020A, Caracas, Venezuela.
Rangel-Rivas, Ariadna
    Escalona, América
      Jordan, Luis Segundo
        Gonzatti, Mary Isabel
          Aso, Pedro Maria
            Perrone, Trina
              Silva-Iturriza, Adriana
                Mijares, Alfredo

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Animals
                  • Babesia / classification
                  • Babesia / isolation & purification
                  • Babesiosis / epidemiology
                  • Babesiosis / parasitology
                  • Babesiosis / veterinary
                  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
                  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
                  • Female
                  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
                  • Horses
                  • Male
                  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
                  • Prevalence
                  • Theileria / classification
                  • Theileria / isolation & purification
                  • Theileriasis / diagnosis
                  • Theileriasis / epidemiology
                  • Venezuela / epidemiology

                  Citations

                  This article has been cited 17 times.
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