Epidemiology and genetic diversity of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in Mongolian horses.

The research study is about the investigation of infection rates and genotypic diversity of the diseases Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in horses in Mongolia.

Background and Aim

• The study focuses on equine piroplasmosis, a tick-borne disease that affects horses, caused by parasites Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. These diseases have a significant impact on the horse industry, especially in countries where they are endemic, like Mongolia.
• Control of these diseases can be influenced by their genotypic diversity. However, comprehensive nationwide epidemiological surveys hadn’t been conducted in Mongolia to investigate the infection rates and genotypic diversity of T. equi and B. caballi.
• Thus, the goal of this study was to investigate the prevalence and genotypes of T. equi and B. caballi infections in horses across Mongolia.

Methodology

• The researchers gathered blood samples from 1353 horses in 15 out of Mongolia’s 21 provinces. The DNA in these samples were analyzed using T. equi- and B. caballi-specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assays.
• In addition, blood smears from 251 horses were prepared, stained with a dye called Giemsa, and examined under a light microscope to identify T. equi and B. caballi infections.

Findings

• By using microscopy, 11.9% of blood samples were found positive for T. equi and 1.6% were positive for B. caballi. Conversely, PCR assays revealed that a considerably higher percentage of horses were infected: 78.2% were positive for T. equi and 4.6% for B. caballi.
• Further, the study used the phylogenetic analysis of 18S rRNA sequences from 42 randomly selected T. equi-positive DNA samples, and found the genotypes A and E.
• Similarly, rap-1 sequences from 19 randomly selected B. caballi-positive DNA samples were identified as genotypes A and B1. There was also a distinct clade found that was closely related to the genotype A.
• Through these findings, the research confirms the widespread occurrence of T. equi and B. caballi infections in Mongolian horses.

Implication and Conclusion

• These findings highlight the need for a comprehensive control method for T. equi and B. caballi infections in Mongolian horses. Understanding the prevalence and genetic diversity of the diseases may help develop more effective and targeted treatment strategies.
• Better control and treatment of these diseases would be invaluable for the health of horses and could significantly improve Mongolia’s thriving livestock industry.