Diagnosis of subclinical equine theileriosis in center of Iran using parasitological and molecular methods.

This study investigated the presence of Theileria equi, a parasitic infection, in healthy horses in the center of Iran using both parasitological and molecular methods.

Study Sample and Methods

• The researchers collected blood samples from 105 healthy horses in different stables located in the Yazd province, located in the central part of Iran.
• These samples were examined for the presence of Theileria equi infection using two methods – parasitological, which involves the examination of physical characteristics of the parasite, and molecular, which involves PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), a technique used to amplify the DNA of the parasite.

Findings

• The parasitological method of examination only detected Theileria equi infections in about 4.76% of the cases (5 out of 105).
• However, the PCR method was more sensitive and identified the infection in 22.86% of the cases (24 out of 105).
• No correlation was found between the factors of age, gender, and breed of the horses, and the likelihood of them being infected with T. equi.

Implications

• The fact that these blood samples were taken from apparently healthy horses suggests that a substantial proportion of the horse population (22.86% in this study) may have subclinical theileriosis – a condition where they carry the parasite without showing any symptoms.
• Despite the horses appearing to be in good health, they can still transmit the parasites to ticks, thereby potentially contributing to the continuous presence and spread of the organisms within the horse population.

Conclusion

• The study concludes by highlighting the importance of conducting future research into these definitive host horses and their vectors in the respective areas.
• Understanding this subclinical prevalence of theileriosis could aid in the development of comprehensive preventative and control strategies to curb the spread of this parasitic infection.