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Home / Equine Research Bank / Iran J Parasitol / Epidemiological Study of Equine Piroplasmosis (Theileria equ...
Iranian journal of parasitology2019; 14(3); 404-412;

Epidemiological Study of Equine Piroplasmosis (Theileria equi and Babesia caballi) by Microscopic Examination and Competitive-ELISA in Erbil Province North-Iraq.

Abstract: Equine piroplasmosis is a major tick-borne disease that can lead to serious health problems and economic losses in horse industry. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of and in different species of Equus namely (Horse, mule, donkey and pony) by Giemsa stained blood films and competitive ELISA. Methods: This study was conducted at various geographic areas of Erbil governorate. A total of 349 blood samples from equine (209 horses, 62 mule, 57 donkey and 21 ponies) were collected to estimate the prevalence rate of and by using Giemsa stained blood smear and competitive ELISA. Results: The overall prevalence rates were (10.6%) consisting of (8.3%), (1.7%) and (0.6) for , and both infection respectively by Giemsa stained blood smears, and the rate was 38.97%, consisting of 20.9% for , 11.2% for and 6.9% for both infection by cELISA. Seroprevalence rate of was significantly higher ( < 0.001) than that in equids. There was also a significant difference associated between age ( < 0.01), activity ( < 0.01), management ( < 0.001) and tick infestation ( < 0.001), but neither the type of equids nor the gender was significant differences associated with prevalence rate. Conclusions: The present study concluded that the equine piroplasmosis is a vital infection distributed among the equine in Erbil province North of Iraq. Thus a better control programme should be implemented to contain and control the prevalence of the disease within the area.
Copyright© Iranian Society of Parasitology & Tehran University of Medical Sciences.
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Publication Date: 2019-11-02 PubMed ID: 31673258PubMed Central: PMC6815869
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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.

The research article presents an epidemiological study about equine piroplasmosis, a tick-borne disease affecting horses and other species of Equus. The study, conducted in Erbil Province, North Iraq, used microscopic examination and competitive-ELISA to determine the prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, which cause equine piroplasmosis.

Study Details and Methods

  • The research was conducted across several geographic locations in the Erbil governorate.
  • In order to determine the prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, a total of 349 blood samples were collected from various species of Equus: 209 from horses, 62 from mules, 57 from donkeys, and 21 from ponies.
  • Two techniques were used for diagnosis: Giemsa stained blood smear and competitive ELISA (cELISA), a laboratory test that produces antibodies against a specific antigen.

Results

  • Through Giemsa stained blood smears, the researchers found overall prevalence rates of 10.6%, which consisted of 8.3% for Theileria equi, 1.7% for Babesia caballi, and 0.6% for both infections.
  • When utilizing cELISA, the overall prevalence rate jumped to 38.97%, with 20.9% for Theileria equi, 11.2% for Babesia caballi and 6.9% for both infections.
  • Notably, the seroprevalence rate of Theileria equi was significantly higher than that of Babesia caballi among equids.
  • Statistically significant differences were also found in prevalence rates in relation to age, activity, management, and tick infestation. However, there were no significant differences based on types of equids or gender.

Conclusions

  • The study concluded that equine piroplasmosis is a vital infection prevalent among the equine population in the Erbil province of North Iraq.
  • Given these findings, the researchers propose implementing a stronger control programme to contain and control the disease within this geographical area.

Cite This Article

APA
Aziz KJ, Al-Barwary LTO. (2019). Epidemiological Study of Equine Piroplasmosis (Theileria equi and Babesia caballi) by Microscopic Examination and Competitive-ELISA in Erbil Province North-Iraq. Iran J Parasitol, 14(3), 404-412.

Publication

Iranian journal of parasitology
ISSN: 1735-7020
NlmUniqueID: 101464309
Country: Iran
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 3
Pages: 404-412

Researcher Affiliations

Aziz, Khalid Jabar
  • Department of Animal Resources, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Erbil, Iraq.
Al-Barwary, Lokman Taib Omer
  • Department of Microbiology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Duhok, Duhok, Iraq.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Conflict of interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Yang G, Zhou B, Chen K, Hu Z, Guo W, Wang X, Du C. Diagnostic Performance of Competitive ELISA and Western Blot Methods for the Detection of Antibodies against Theileria equi and Babesia caballi.. Microorganisms 2022 Dec 21;11(1).
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  3. Tirosh-Levy S, Gottlieb Y, Fry LM, Knowles DP, Steinman A. Twenty Years of Equine Piroplasmosis Research: Global Distribution, Molecular Diagnosis, and Phylogeny.. Pathogens 2020 Nov 8;9(11).
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