FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Acta Parasitol / Equine Piroplasmosis in Asymptomatic Horses of Western Iran:...
Acta parasitologica2024; doi: 10.1007/s11686-024-00804-3

Equine Piroplasmosis in Asymptomatic Horses of Western Iran: Comparison of Microscopic Examination and Multiplex PCR.

Abstract: Piroplasmosis is responsible for anemia, fever, loss of physical activity and even death in equines. In epidemiological studies, accurate diagnostic tests are essential for detecting asymptomatic carriers. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of infection in asymptomatic horses from Lorestan province, western Iran by developing a multiplex PCR. Results: Blood samples were examined by microscopy and multiplex PCR targeting the SSU rRNA gene of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. Out of the total of 165 horses, 19 (11.51%) and 31 (18.78%) cases were positive for piroplasms by microscopy and PCR, respectively. The detection rates of both genera were significantly higher in multiplex PCR compared to microscopy (p < 0.0001). Compared with multiplex PCR, the sensitivities of microscopy for the detection of Babesia were only 28.5%. The prevalence of T. equi infection was significantly higher in summer (p = 0.035). The prevalence of B. caballi was significantly higher in males (p = 0.038). Conclusions: Findings indicate that the multiplex PCR described here is a sensitive technique for the detection of piroplasm DNA in carriers. Furthermore, asymptomatic carriers must be considered as an important source of infection for equids living in this region.
© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2024-02-29 PubMed ID: 38424400PubMed Central: 6572709DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00804-3Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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 focuses on investigating the prevalence of Piroplasmosis, a disease in horses causing anemia and fever, in asymptomatic horses using the method of multiplex PCR. This method showed a higher detection rate when compared to microscopy.

Background

  • Piroplasmosis is a disease in horses that can cause symptoms such as anemia, fever, loss of physical activity and even death. This study conducted in western Iran, aimed to detect the prevalence of this disease in horses that do not show any symptoms (asymptomatic).
  • The researchers used a diagnostic test known as multiplex PCR that targets the SSU rRNA gene of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, two parasites known to cause Piroplasmosis.
  • This testing method was compared to the traditional microscopic examination to determine which one was more effective in identifying the disease.

Results

  • 165 horses were tested and it was found that 19 (11.51%) and 31 (18.78%) cases tested positive for Piroplasmosis through microscopy and PCR respectively. Meaning that the multiplex PCR method has a significantly higher detection rate for this disease compared to microscopy.
  • Further on comparison, the sensitivities of microscopy for the detection of Babesia were only 28.5%. This once again proves multiplex PCR to be a more effective diagnostic tool.
  • The study also found that the prevalence of T. equi infection was significantly higher in summer, with male horses having a significantly higher prevalence of B. caballi infection.

Conclusions

  • The research concludes that the multiplex PCR described in this study is a sensitive technique for the detection of Piroplasm DNA in carriers. This method is crucial for early detection and diagnosis in horses, especially since there is a prevalence of asymptomatic carriers.
  • These asymptomatic carriers must be considered as an important source of infection for equids living in the studied region. Thus, continued surveillance and early detection are key in the control and management of Piroplasmosis.

Cite This Article

APA
Mohammad-Naseri A, Shokrani H, Rahmani-Shahraki A. (2024). Equine Piroplasmosis in Asymptomatic Horses of Western Iran: Comparison of Microscopic Examination and Multiplex PCR. Acta Parasitol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-024-00804-3

Publication

Acta parasitologica
ISSN: 1896-1851
NlmUniqueID: 9301947
Country: Switzerland
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Mohammad-Naseri, Armin
  • Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.
Shokrani, Hamidreza
  • Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran. shokrani.hm@lu.ac.ir.
Rahmani-Shahraki, Alireza
  • Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.

References

This article includes 35 references
  1. Coultous RM, Sutton DGM, Boden LA. A risk assessment of equine piroplasmosis entry, exposure and consequences in the UK. Equine Vet J 2023 55(2):282–294.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13579pubmed: 35478189google scholar: lookup
  2. Mehlhorn H, Schein E. Redescription of Babesia equi Laveran, 1901 as Theileria equi. Parasitol Res 1998 84:467–475.
    doi: 10.1007/s004360050431pubmed: 9660136google scholar: lookup
  3. Rothschild CM, Knowles DP. Equine piroplasmosis. 2007.
    doi: 10.1016/B978-1-4160-2406-4.50065-Xgoogle scholar: lookup
  4. Scoles GA, Ueti MW. Vector ecology of equine piroplasmosis. Annu Rev Entomol 2015 60:561–580.
    doi: 10.1146/annurev-ento-010814-021110pubmed: 25564746google scholar: lookup
  5. Onyiche TE, Suganuma K, Igarashi I, Yokoyama N, Xuan X, Thekisoe O. A review on equine piroplasmosis: epidemiology, vector ecology, risk factors, host immunity, diagnosis and control. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019 16:1736.
    doi: 10.3390/ijerph16101736pubmed: 31100920pmc: 6572709google scholar: lookup
  6. Ueti MW, Mealey RH, Kappmeyer LS, White SN, Kumpula-McWhirter N, Pelzel AM, Grause JF, Bunn TO, Schwartz A, Traub-Dargatz JL, Hendrickson A. Re-emergence of the apicomplexan Theileria equi in the United States: elimination of persistent infection and transmission risk. PLoS ONE 2012 7(9):e44713.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044713pubmed: 22970295pmc: 3435266google scholar: lookup
  7. Wise LN, Kappmeyer LS, Mealey RH, Knowles DP. Review of equine piroplasmosis. J Vet Intern Med 2013 27:1334–1346.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.12168pubmed: 24033559google scholar: lookup
  8. Lobanov VA, Peckle M, Massard CL, Brad Scandrett W, Gajadhar AA. Development and validation of a duplex real-time PCR assay for the diagnosis of equine piroplasmosis. Parasit Vectors 2018 11(1):1–2.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-018-2751-6google scholar: lookup
  9. Brüning A. Equine piroplasmosis an update on diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Br Vet J 1996 152:139–151.
    doi: 10.1016/S0007-1935(96)80070-4pubmed: 8680838google scholar: lookup
  10. Rampersad J, Cesar E, Campbell MD, Samlal M, Ammons D. A field evaluation of PCR for the routine detection of Babesia equi in horses. Vet Parasitol 2003 114:81–87.
    doi: 10.1016/S0304-4017(03)00129-8pubmed: 12781470google scholar: lookup
  11. Fonseca LA, Barreto-Vianna AR, Godoy RF, Lima EM. Detection of piroplasmosis in asymptomatic horses by whole and splenic blood PCR or standard splenic, venous and peripheral blood smears. OJVR 2015 19(3):148–154.
  12. Levine ND. Veterinary Protozoology. 1985 1st ed, Iowa State University Press: Ames, IA, USA.
  13. Sloboda M, Jirků M, Lukešová D, Qablan M, Batsukh Z, Fiala I, Hořín P, Modrý D, Lukeš J. A Survey for piroplasmids in horses and Bactrian camels in North-Eastern Mongolia. Vet Parasitol 2011 179:246–249.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.01.064pubmed: 21402446google scholar: lookup
  14. Alhassan A, Pumidonming W, Okamura M, Hirata H, Battsetseg B, Fujisaki K, Yokoyama N, Igarashi I. Development of a single-round and multiplex PCR method for the simultaneous detection of Babesia caballi and Babesia equi in horse blood. Vet Parasitol 2005 129:43–49.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2004.12.018pubmed: 15817201google scholar: lookup
  15. García-Bocanegra I, Arenas-Montes A, Hernández E, Adaszek L, Carbonero A, Almería S, Arenas A. Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Babesia caballi and Theileria equi infection in equids. Vet J 2013 195:172–178.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.06.012pubmed: 22784418google scholar: lookup
  16. Salim B, Bakheit MA, Kamau J, Sugimoto C. Current status of equine piroplasmosis in the Sudan. Infect Genet Evol 2013 16:191–199.
    doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2013.02.008pubmed: 23485745google scholar: lookup
  17. Bahrami S, Ghadrdan AR, Mirabdollahi SM, Fayed MR. Diagnosis of subclinical equine theileriosis in center of Iran using parasitological and molecular methods. Trop Biomed 2014 31(1):110–117.
    pubmed: 24862050
  18. Donnelly J, Joyner LP, Graham-Jones O, Ellis CP. A comparison of the complement fixation and immunofluorescent antibody tests in a survey of the prevalence of Babesia equi and Babesia caballi in horses in sultanate of Oman. Trop Anim Hlth Prod 1980 12:50–60.
    doi: 10.1007/bf02242631google scholar: lookup
  19. Alanazi AD, Alyousif MS, Hassieb MM. Seroprevalence study on Theileria equi and Babesia caballi antibodies in horses from central province of Saudi Arabia. J Parasitol 2012 98:1015–1017.
    doi: 10.1645/GE-2997.1pubmed: 22489955google scholar: lookup
  20. Abutarbush SM, Alqawasmeh DM, Mukbel RM, Al-Majali AM. Equine babesiosis: seroprevalence, risk factors and comparison of different diagnostic methods in Jordan. Transbound Emerg Dis 2012 59(1):72–78.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1865-1682.2011.01244.xpubmed: 21771287google scholar: lookup
  21. Güçlü HZ, Karaer KZ. Detection of Babesia caballi (Nuttall, 1910) and Theileria equi (Syn. Babesia equi, Laveran, 1901) by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in show and sport horses in the region of Ankara. Turk Parazitol Derg 2007 31(2):89–93.
  22. Malekifard F, Tavassoli M, Yakhchali M, Darvishzadeh R. Detection of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi using microscopic and molecular methods in horses in suburb of Urmia Iran. Vet Res Forum 2014 5:129–133.
    pubmed: 25568706pmc: 4279624
  23. Habibi G, Esmaeilnia K, Hablolvarid MH, Afshari A, Zamen M, Bozorgi S. Microscopic and molecular detection of Theileria (Babesia) Equi infection in equids of Kurdistan province Iran. Iran J Parasitol 2016 11(1):86–90.
    pubmed: 27095973pmc: 4835474
  24. Ebrahimi M, Adinehbeigi K, Hamidinejat H, Tabandeh MR. Molecular characterization of Theileria equi infection in horse populations belonging to West Azerbaijan, Iran: insights into the importance of Equine Merozoite Antigen (EMA)-1 in its diagnosis. Ann Parasitol 2018 64(1):21–27.
    doi: 10.17420/ap6401.128pubmed: 29716182google scholar: lookup
  25. Razmi G. A review on Babesia spp. and tick vectors in animals in Iran. Iran J Vet Sci Technol 2022 14(2):1–10.
    doi: 10.22067/ijvst.2022.76034.1131google scholar: lookup
  26. Abedi V, Razmi G, Seifi H, Naghibi A. Molecular and serological detection of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infection in horses and ixodid ticks in Iran. Ticks Tick-Borne Dis 2014 5:239–244.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2013.11.008pubmed: 24556274google scholar: lookup
  27. Hosseini SR, Taktaz-Hafshejani T, Khamesipour F. Molecular detection of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in horses by PCR method in Iran. Kafkas Univ Vet Fak Derg 2017 23(1):161–164.
  28. Kakekhani S, Rahbari S, Madani R, Bokaie S. Molecular and microscopic detection of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in horses in Kurdestan province Iran. Arch Razi Inst 2017 72(1):51–55.
    doi: 10.22034/ari.2016.107485google scholar: lookup
  29. De Waal DT. Global importance of piroplasmosis. J Protozool Res 2000 10(3):106–127.
  30. Salim BOM, Hassan SM, Bakheit MA, Alhassan A, Igarashi I, Karanis P, Abdelrahman MB. Diagnosis of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi infections in horses in Sudan using ELISA and PCR. Parasitol Res 2008 103(5):1145–1150.
    doi: 10.1007/s00436-008-1108-zpubmed: 18618143google scholar: lookup
  31. Mahmoud MS, El-Ezz NTA, Abdel-Shafy S, Nassar SA, El Namaky AH, Khalil WK, Suarez CE. Assessment of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in equine populations in Egypt by molecular, serological and hematological approaches. Parasit Vectors 2016 9(1):1–10.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-016-1539-9google scholar: lookup
  32. Nugraha AB, Cahyaningsih U, Amrozi A, Ridwan Y, Agungpriyono S, Taher DM, Sivakumar T. Serological and molecular prevalence of equine piroplasmosis in Western Java, Indonesia. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Rep 2018 14:1–6.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.07.009google scholar: lookup
  33. Qablan MA, Obornik M, Petrželková KJ, Sloboda M, Shudiefat M, Hoˇrín P, Modrý D. Infections by Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in Jordanian equids: epidemiology and genetic diversity. Parasitol 2013 140:1096–1103.
    doi: 10.1017/S0031182013000486google scholar: lookup
  34. Rüegg SR, Torgerson P, Deplazes P, Mathis A. Age-dependent dynamics of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in southwest Mongolia based on IFAT and/or PCR prevalence data from domestic horses and ticks. Parasitol 2007 134:939–947.
    doi: 10.1017/S0031182007002405google scholar: lookup
  35. Moretti A, Mangili V, Salvatori R, Maresca C, Scoccia E, Torina A, Pietrobelli M. Prevalence and diagnosis of Babesia and Theileria infections in horses in Italy: a preliminary study. Vet J 2010 184:346–350.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.03.021pubmed: 19394253google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.