Epidemiological survey of vector-borne infections in equids from northern Tunisia.
Abstract: Leishmaniosis (Leishmania infantum infection) and piroplasmoses (Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections) are vector-borne diseases with significant economic and public health impacts. Despite their importance, there is a lack of data concerning these infections in equids from Tunisia. The present study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of L. infantum, T. equi and B. caballi in 104 equids from northern Tunisia. The authors reported for the first time on the seroprevalence of anti-Leishmania antibodies in equids in Tunisia (6.7%). The study reported a high infection prevalence of piroplasms (23.1%), revealed for the first time T. equi and B. caballi infections in Tunisian donkeys, and showed that these animals act as reservoirs for the maintenance and dissemination of piroplasms. La leishmaniose (infection à Leishmania infantum) et les piroplasmoses (infections à Theileria equi et à Babesia caballi) sont des maladies à transmission vectorielle dont les conséquences économiques et l’impact sur la santé publique sont significatifs. Malgré leur importance, en Tunisie la situation des équidés vis-à-vis de ces maladies était jusqu’à présent peu documentée. L’étude décrite par les auteurs avait pour objet d’estimer la prévalence des infections à L. infantum, T. equi et B. caballi chez 104 chevaux du Nord de la Tunisie. La recherche d’anticorps dirigés contre Leishmania a permis de déterminer pour la première fois une prévalence sérologique chez les équidés (6,7 %). L’étude a rapporté une prévalence élevée de piroplasmes (23,1 %) et fait état pour la première fois en Tunisie de l’existence d’infections à T. equi et à B. caballi chez des ânes ; elle montre également que ces derniers font office de réservoirs et jouent un rôle dans le maintien et la dissémination des piroplasmes. La leishmaniosis (infección por Leishmania infantum) y las piroplasmosis (infecciones por Theileria equi y Babesia caballi) son enfermedades transmitidas por vectores que tienen una importante repercusión en la economía y la salud pública. A pesar de su importancia, existen pocos datos sobre estas infecciones en los équidos tunecinos. Los autores describen un estudio destinado a estimar la prevalencia de L. infantum, T. equi y B. caballi en 104 équidos del norte del país, gracias al cual determinaron por primera vez la seroprevalencia de anticuerpos contra Leishmania en équidos tunecinos (un 6,7%). La investigación puso de manifiesto una elevada prevalencia de la infección por piroplasmas (un 23,1%), reveló por vez primera la infección de asnos tunecinos por T. equi y B. caballi y demostró que estos animales ejercen de reservorio, manteniendo y propagando así los piroplasmas.
© World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), 2018
Publication Date: 2019-04-10 PubMed ID: 30964451DOI: 10.20506/rst.37.3.2904Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research surveyed vector-borne infections in equids (horses, donkeys, and zebras) in northern Tunisia and found prevalence of infections like Leishmaniasis and Piroplasmosis. It also highlighted for the first time, the existence of these diseases in Tunisian donkeys, identifying them as potential reservoirs for disease maintenance and spreading.
Research Objective and Method
- The aim of this research was to estimate the prevalence of Leishmaniosis (an infection by Leishmania infantum) and Piroplasmoses (infections by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi) in 104 equids from northern Tunisia. These are vector-borne diseases which have significant economic and public health impacts.
- The scientists undertook an epidemiological survey, testing for these infections in a sample of 104 Tunisian equids, including horses and donkeys.
Key Findings
- The researchers found a 6.7% seroprevalence for anti-Leishmania antibodies in the equids. This is the first time such a prevalence has been reported in Tunisian equids.
- They also found a high infection prevalence of Piroplasms (23.1%) in the test subjects. Piroplasms are small protozoan parasites that can prevalently exist in the red blood cells of mammals. The high prevalence of these parasites is significant as it indicates a wide occurrence of the disease, justifying the need for dedicated research and targeted interventions.
Significance of the Finding
- This research reports for the first time the existence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in Tunisian donkeys. This implies that the equids in Tunisia are potential hosts and reservoirs for these vector-borne diseases, raising concern for public health.
- The study shows that these animals act as reservoirs for the maintenance and transmission of Piroplasms. This understanding is critical in strategizing disease control measures.
- Due to these findings, there could be an increased focus on disease management in Tunisian equids, improving their health conditions and reducing economic losses.
Cite This Article
APA
Dhaouadi S, Mahjoub T, Drissi G, Bahri A, Mhadhbi M, Sassi L, Gharbi M.
(2019).
Epidemiological survey of vector-borne infections in equids from northern Tunisia.
Rev Sci Tech, 37(3), 1021-1027.
https://doi.org/10.20506/rst.37.3.2904 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Babesia
- Babesiosis
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Theileriasis
- Tunisia / epidemiology
Citations
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