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Home / Equine Research Bank / Emerg Infect Dis / Equine piroplasmosis associated with Amblyomma cajennense Ti...
Emerging infectious diseases2011; 17(10); 1903-1905; doi: 10.3201/eid1710.101182

Equine piroplasmosis associated with Amblyomma cajennense Ticks, Texas, USA.

Abstract: We report an outbreak of equine piroplasmosis in southern Texas, USA, in 2009. Infection prevalence reached 100% in some areas (292 infected horses). Amblyomma cajennense was the predominant tick and experimentally transmitted Theileria equi to an uninfected horse. We suggest that transmission by this tick species played a role in this outbreak.
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Publication Date: 2011-10-18 PubMed ID: 22000367PubMed Central: PMC3310643DOI: 10.3201/eid1710.101182Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • U.S. Gov't
  • Non-P.H.S.

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.

This research article discusses an outbreak of equine piroplasmosis in Texas, USA in 2009, asserting that ticks, specifically the Amblyomma cajennense species, played a significant role in transmitting the Theileria equi parasite causing the disease.

Outline of the Study

  • The study focuses on an outbreak of equine piroplasmosis, a tick-borne disease that affects horses, in Southern Texas in 2009. This disease is caused by the protozoan parasites Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, transmitted by ticks.
  • The magnitude of the outbreak was significant, with the rate of infection reaching 100% in certain areas, meaning every horse in those locations was infected.

Amblyomma cajennense Ticks As The Vector

  • The research highlights that Amblyomma cajennense, a species of tick, was the predominant tick in the area during the outbreak of equine piroplasmosis.
  • An experiment carried out in the research showed that this species could transmit Theileria equi to an uninfected horse. This experimental evidence supports their hypothesis that this tick species played a significant role in the outbreak.

Implication and Suggestion

  • The research implies that controlling the population of Amblyomma cajennense ticks could be a key strategy in preventing future outbreaks of equine piroplasmosis.
  • Furthermore, the researchers suggest that a greater understanding of the role and behavior of this specific tick species could lead to more effective prevention and control measures.

Cite This Article

APA
Scoles GA, Hutcheson HJ, Schlater JL, Hennager SG, Pelzel AM, Knowles DP. (2011). Equine piroplasmosis associated with Amblyomma cajennense Ticks, Texas, USA. Emerg Infect Dis, 17(10), 1903-1905. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1710.101182

Publication

Emerging infectious diseases
ISSN: 1080-6059
NlmUniqueID: 9508155
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 10
Pages: 1903-1905

Researcher Affiliations

Scoles, Glen A
  • US Department of Agriculture and Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA. scoles@vetmed.wsu.edu
Hutcheson, H Joel
    Schlater, Jack L
      Hennager, Steven G
        Pelzel, Angela M
          Knowles, Don P

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Babesiosis / diagnosis
            • Babesiosis / epidemiology
            • Babesiosis / transmission
            • Babesiosis / veterinary
            • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
            • Female
            • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
            • Horse Diseases / parasitology
            • Horse Diseases / transmission
            • Horses
            • Ixodidae
            • Male
            • Texas / epidemiology

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            This article has been cited 22 times.
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