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Veterinary research forum : an international quarterly journal2015; 5(2); 129-133;

Detection of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi using microscopic and molecular methods in horses in suburb of Urmia, Iran.

Abstract: Equine piroplasmosis is a severe disease of horses caused by the intra-erythrocyte protozoan, Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. The aim of this study was to identify equine piroplasmosis based on molecular and morphometrical features in horses in suburb of Urmia, West Azerbaijan province, Iran. From April to September 2011, a total number of 240 blood samples were collected randomly from horses of 25 villages. The specimens were transferred to the laboratory and the blood smears stained with Geimsa, and the morphological and biometrical data of parasite in any infected erythrocyte were considered. Extracted DNA from each blood sample was used in multiplex PCR in order to confirm the presence of B. caballi and T. equi. Microscopic observation on 240 blood smears determined that 15 (6.25%) and 5 (2.80%) samples were infected by T. equi and B. caballi, respectively. The mixed infections occurred in 2 (0.83%) samples. The results of the PCR assays showed 26 (10.83%), 14 (5.83%) and 4 (1.66%) were distinguished as T. equi, B. caballi and mixed infection, respectively. Differences in infection rates were statistically nonsignificant between male and female horses and among different age groups. Our findings indicated that T. equi and B. caballi were prevalent in horse population.
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Publication Date: 2015-01-09 PubMed ID: 25568706PubMed Central: PMC4279624
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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.

This research aimed to detect and analyse the prevalence of equine piroplasmosis, a severe disease in horses caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi parasites, in Iran’s west Azerbaijan province. Using molecular and microscopic methods on samples randomly collected from horses in 25 villages, the study found that T. equi and B. caballi infections were present in the examined horse population.

Research Objective and Methodology

  • The research was conducted to identify and understand the prevalence of equine piroplasmosis, a debilitating condition for horses. This disease is caused by two protozoan parasites – Theileria equi and Babesia caballi -which inhabit the red blood cells of the infected horse.
  • The study was carried out in Urmia, a city in Iran’s West Azerbaijan province, from April to September 2011. To ensure randomness, blood samples were taken from horses in 25 different villages.
  • Inspectors carefully painted the collected samples with a Geimsa stain, a common laboratory technique for highlighting cells’ morphological and biometrical attributes.
  • After collecting and preparing the samples, the researchers extracted the DNA and ran multiplex PCR tests. This process helped verify the presence of T. equi and B. caballi in each sample.

Results

  • Out of the 240 blood samples collected, 15 (or 6.25%) and 5 (or 2.8%) were found to be infected by T. equi and B. caballi respectively through microscopic observation.
  • 2 (or 0.83%) samples exhibited a mixed infection, indicating the simultaneous presence of both parasites.
  • The PCR tests further re-affirmed and extended these findings – confirming that 26 (or 10.83%), 14 (or 5.83%), and 4 (or 1.66%) were T. equi, B. caballi, and mixed infections respectively.
  • There were no significant statistical differences seen in infection rates when compared between male and female horses, nor among varied age groups.

Conclusions

  • The results of this research suggest that both Theileria equi and Babesia caballi microorganisms are prevalent in the horse population within the mentioned region.
  • The findings of the study are critical as they shed light on the extent and severity of equine piroplasmosis in northwest Iran, which may guide effective disease management and prevention strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Malekifard F, Tavassoli M, Yakhchali M, Darvishzadeh R. (2015). Detection of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi using microscopic and molecular methods in horses in suburb of Urmia, Iran. Vet Res Forum, 5(2), 129-133.

Publication

Veterinary research forum : an international quarterly journal
ISSN: 2008-8140
NlmUniqueID: 101625812
Country: Iran
Language: English
Volume: 5
Issue: 2
Pages: 129-133

Researcher Affiliations

Malekifard, Farnaz
  • Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran;
Tavassoli, Mousa
  • Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran;
Yakhchali, Mohammad
  • Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran;
Darvishzadeh, Reza
  • Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.

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Citations

This article has been cited 15 times.
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