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Parasitology research2008; 103(5); 1145-1150; doi: 10.1007/s00436-008-1108-z

Diagnosis of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi infections in horses in Sudan using ELISA and PCR.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of equine piroplasmosis in Sudan. The presence of antibodies against Babesia caballi and Theileria equi was determined in serum samples obtained from 158 horses raised in different locations in Sudan by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The B. caballi 48-kDa and the T. equi EMA-2 purified recombinant proteins were used as antigens in the ELISA test. Results showed that seven (4.4%) were positive for B. caballi and 80 (63.5%) were positive for T. equi. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays have been applied using primers targeting the B. caballi 48-kDa merozoite antigen, the T. equi SSUrRNA and the T. equi EMA-1 genes. PCR performed on 131 blood spots in filter paper revealed that 33 (25.2%) samples were positive for T. equi but no positives were found for B. caballi. It is concluded that equine piroplasmosis is endemic in the country. This is the first study on serological and molecular epidemiological diagnosis on equine piroplasmosis in Sudan.
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Publication Date: 2008-07-10 PubMed ID: 18618143DOI: 10.1007/s00436-008-1108-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 conducted a test on horses in Sudan to determine the prevalence of equine piroplasmosis, a disease caused by the parasites Babesia caballi and Theileria equi. They employed both an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to identify positive cases and found the disease to be endemic in the country.

Key Aims and Methods

  • The primary objective of this study was to figure out how prevalent equine piroplasmosis was in Sudan. Equine piroplasmosis is a parasitic disease affecting horses, caused by Babesia caballi and Theileria equi.
  • The researchers collected and analyzed serum samples from 158 different horses across various locations in Sudan.
  • In order to detect the presence of antibodies against these parasites, the team used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  • In order to identify the specific antigens of the parasites, a B. caballi 48-kDa merozoite antigen and the T. equi EMA-2 purified recombinant proteins were used.
  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were utilized to analyze 131 blood spots, with the target being B. caballi 48-kDa merozoite antigen, the T. equi SSUrRNA, and the T. equi EMA-1 genes. PCR is a method used to amplify a specific DNA sequence to produce enough for analysis.

Major Findings

  • Using ELISA, about 4.4% (7 horses) were found to carry antibodies of B. caballi and 63.5% (80 horses) for T. equi.
  • When tested with PCR assays, 25.2% (33 samples) were found to be positive for T. equi, but none were found positive for B. caballi.
  • The results from this study strongly suggest that equine piroplasmosis is endemic in Sudan.

Conclusion and Relevance

  • This research provided crucial insight into the prevalence and spread of equine piroplasmosis in Sudan.
  • These findings are significant considering this is the first study on serological and molecular epidemiological diagnosis on equine piroplasmosis in Sudan. It reveals the urgent need to implement control measures to arrest the spread of this disease.

Cite This Article

APA
Salim BO, Hassan SM, Bakheit MA, Alhassan A, Igarashi I, Karanis P, Abdelrahman MB. (2008). Diagnosis of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi infections in horses in Sudan using ELISA and PCR. Parasitol Res, 103(5), 1145-1150. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-008-1108-z

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 0932-0113
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 103
Issue: 5
Pages: 1145-1150

Researcher Affiliations

Salim, B O M
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.
Hassan, S M
    Bakheit, M A
      Alhassan, A
        Igarashi, I
          Karanis, P
            Abdelrahman, M B

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
              • Babesia
              • Babesiosis / blood
              • Babesiosis / diagnosis
              • Babesiosis / epidemiology
              • Babesiosis / veterinary
              • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
              • Horse Diseases / blood
              • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
              • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
              • Horses
              • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
              • Prevalence
              • Sudan / epidemiology
              • Theileria
              • Theileriasis / blood
              • Theileriasis / diagnosis
              • Theileriasis / epidemiology

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