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Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2012; 196(3); 541-546; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.10.025

Efficacy of imidocarb dipropionate in eliminating Theileria equi from experimentally infected horses.

Abstract: Theileria equi, one of the causative agents of equine piroplasmosis, is endemic in many regions of the world but is considered a 'foreign' animal disease in the USA. In an effort to prevent the importation of T. equi, stringent serological screening of horses is practiced prior to entry to the USA. Current regulatory options available where horses are found to be infected include permanent quarantine with or without chemotherapy, repatriation, or euthanasia. Chemotherapeutics that eliminate infection and subsequently transmission risk are critical in the management of infected horses. In this study, the efficacy of the drug imidocarb dipropionate against experimental T. equi infection was assessed. Of nine horses experimentally inoculated with T. equi isolated from an animal previously imported from Peru, six were treated with imidocarb dipropionate after the resolution of the acute phase of the disease. Elimination of the parasite was demonstrated in 5/6 by nested PCR, blood transfusions to naïve horses, and reversion to seronegative status. The findings support the use of this drug as a potential treatment option in controlling outbreaks of T. equi, and also suggest that 'combination testing' using both serological and PCR detection methods are necessary to demonstrate clearance of infection.
Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2012-11-28 PubMed ID: 23199699DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.10.025Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • 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 study examines the effectiveness of the drug imidocarb dipropionate in dealing with Theileria equi infections in horses. It concludes that imidocarb dipropionate successfully eliminated the parasite in a majority of the tested horses and suggests its use as a potential treatment option.

Objective of the Study

  • The objective of this study was to assess the efficiency of the chemotherapeutic drug, imidocarb dipropionate, in managing horses that were experimentally infected with Theileria equi – an agent causing equine piroplasmosis.

Why was the Study Performed?

  • The study was conducted because T. equi is considered a ‘foreign’ animal disease in the USA. So, to prevent its importation into the country, horses undergo strict serological screening prior to entry.
  • In cases where horses are diagnosed with the infection, current regulatory solutions include permanent quarantine with or without chemotherapy, repatriation, or euthanasia.
  • Chemotherapeutics that can successfully eliminate the infection are therefore critical in managing infected horses, making research in this area highly important.

Methodology of the Research

  • In this study, nine horses were inoculated or infected with T. equi, isolated from an animal previously imported from Peru.
  • Six of these horses were subject to treatment with imidocarb dipropionate after the acute phase of the disease had passed.

Results of the Investigation

  • The study found that the parasite was eliminated in five out of six treated horses.
  • The clearance of the infection was confirmed by nested PCR, blood transfusions to naive horses, and reversion to seronegative status.

Conclusions Drawn

  • The findings support the usage of imidocarb dipropionate as a potential treatment option in controlling outbreaks of T. equi among horses.
  • The research also proposed that ‘combination testing’ which uses both serological and PCR detection methods are required to demonstrate the successful clearance of the infection.

Cite This Article

APA
Grause JF, Ueti MW, Nelson JT, Knowles DP, Kappmeyer LS, Bunn TO. (2012). Efficacy of imidocarb dipropionate in eliminating Theileria equi from experimentally infected horses. Vet J, 196(3), 541-546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.10.025

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1532-2971
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 196
Issue: 3
Pages: 541-546

Researcher Affiliations

Grause, Juanita F
  • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA 50010, USA. juanita.f.grause@aphis.usda.gov
Ueti, Massaro W
    Nelson, Jeffrey T
      Knowles, Donald P
        Kappmeyer, Lowell S
          Bunn, Thomas O

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use
            • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
            • Horse Diseases / parasitology
            • Horses
            • Imidocarb / analogs & derivatives
            • Imidocarb / therapeutic use
            • Theileria / classification
            • Theileriasis / drug therapy

            Citations

            This article has been cited 23 times.
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