Equine piroplasmosis status in the UK: an assessment of laboratory diagnostic submissions and techniques.
Abstract: Equine piroplasmosis (EP) has historically been of minor concern to UK equine practitioners, primarily due to a lack of competent tick vectors. However, increased detection of EP tick vector species in the UK has been reported recently. EP screening is not currently required for equine importation, and when combined with recent relaxations in movement regulations, there is an increased risk regarding disease incursion and establishment into the UK. This study evaluated the prevalence of EP by both serology and PCR among 1242 UK equine samples submitted for EP screening between February and December 2016 to the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the Animal Health Trust. Where information was available, 81.5 per cent of submissions were for the purpose of UK export testing, and less than 0.1 per cent for UK importation. Serological prevalence of EP was 8.0 per cent, and parasite DNA was found in 0.8 per cent of samples. A subsequent analysis of PCR sensitivity in archived clinical samples indicated that the proportion of PCR-positive animals is likely to be considerably higher. The authors conclude that the current threat imposed by UK carrier horses is not adequately monitored and further measures are required to improve national biosecurity and prevent endemic disease.
© British Veterinary Association 2018. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
Publication Date: 2018-11-09 PubMed ID: 30413675DOI: 10.1136/vr.104855Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Biosecurity
- Diagnostic Technique
- Disease control
- Disease Management
- Disease Prevalence
- Disease Surveillance
- Disease Transmission
- Epidemiology
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Laboratory Methods
- Piroplasmosis
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Public Health
- Serology
- Seroprevalence
- Theileria equi
- Tick-Borne Diseases
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Science
Summary
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The study aims to investigate the prevalence of Equine Piroplasmosis (EP), a tick-borne disease in horses, in the UK due to suspected increasing risks. This was carried out by analyzing samples collected between February and December 2016. It was found that the EP disease presence was found considerably in existing horses and there are concerns about its monitoring and control to avoid becoming an endemic disease.
Introduction and Background
- Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) is a disease in horses typically transmitted by ticks. In the UK, this disease was not a significant concern due to the lack of these tick vectors.
- However, with recent reports indicating increased sightings of potential tick vectors, coupled with the relaxed regulations in horse importation, concerns about the potential spread of EP in the UK are growing.
Methods
- The study involved the analysis of 1,242 equine samples for EP screening which were collected between February and December 2016.
- These samples were examined through serology and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques at the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the Animal Health Trust.
- The purpose of testing was majorly for UK exportation (81.5% of submissions) while less than 0.1% was for UK importation.
Results
- The study found that the serological prevalence of EP was 8.0%. This means that 8.0% of the serology tests came back positive for EP infection.
- 0.8% of the samples showed presence of parasite DNA linked to EP.
- A secondary examination of PCR sensitivity in archived samples suggested that the actual number of PCR-positive animals might be much higher than reported.
Conclusion
- Based on the results, the researchers concluded that the spread of EP within the UK’s horse population is not being adequately monitored. This indicates a significant gap in the biosecurity measures in place.
- They recommend the implementation of additional measures to raise national biosecurity standards and prevent the disease from becoming endemic to the UK.
Cite This Article
APA
Coultous RM, Phipps P, Dalley C, Lewis J, Hammond TA, Shiels BR, Weir W, Sutton DGM.
(2018).
Equine piroplasmosis status in the UK: an assessment of laboratory diagnostic submissions and techniques.
Vet Rec, 184(3), 95.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.104855 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, UK.
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, UK.
- Animal and Plant Health Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, UK.
- Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK.
- Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Babesia / isolation & purification
- Babesiosis / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Laboratories
- Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- Prevalence
- United Kingdom / epidemiology
Conflict of Interest Statement
Competing interests: None declared.
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Graham H, van Kalsbeek P, van der Goot J, Koene MGJ. Low seroprevalence of equine piroplasmosis in horses exported from the Netherlands between 2015 and 2021. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:954046.
- Coultous RM, Sutton DGM, Boden LA. A risk assessment of equine piroplasmosis entry, exposure and consequences in the UK. Equine Vet J 2023 Mar;55(2):282-294.
- Rocafort-Ferrer G, Leblond A, Joulié A, René-Martellet M, Sandoz A, Poux V, Pradier S, Barry S, Vial L, Legrand L. Molecular assessment of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi prevalence in horses and ticks on horses in southeastern France. Parasitol Res 2022 Mar;121(3):999-1008.
- Schnittger L, Ganzinelli S, Bhoora R, Omondi D, Nijhof AM, Florin-Christensen M. The Piroplasmida Babesia, Cytauxzoon, and Theileria in farm and companion animals: species compilation, molecular phylogeny, and evolutionary insights. Parasitol Res 2022 May;121(5):1207-1245.
- 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).
- Bishop RP, Kappmeyer LS, Onzere CK, Odongo DO, Githaka N, Sears KP, Knowles DP, Fry LM. Equid infective Theileria cluster in distinct 18S rRNA gene clades comprising multiple taxa with unusually broad mammalian host ranges. Parasit Vectors 2020 May 19;13(1):261.
- Folly AJ, Dorey-Robinson D, Hernández-Triana LM, Phipps LP, Johnson N. Emerging Threats to Animals in the United Kingdom by Arthropod-Borne Diseases. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:20.
- Hacilarlioglu S, Bilgic HB, Karagenc T, Aydin HB, Toker H, Kanlioglu H, Pekagirbas M, Bakirci S. Molecular Detection and Prevalence of Equine Piroplasmosis and Other Blood Parasites in Equids of Western Aegean Türkiye. Vet Sci 2025 Aug 27;12(9).
- Duaso J, Perez-Ecija A, Navarro A, Martínez E, De Las Heras A, Mendoza FJ. True Prevalence and Seroprevalence of Piroplasmosis in Horses in Southwestern Europe. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 11;15(14).
- Mendoza FJ, Pérez-Écija A, Kappmeyer LS, Suarez CE, Bastos RG. New insights in the diagnosis and treatment of equine piroplasmosis: pitfalls, idiosyncrasies, and myths. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1459989.
- Axt CW, Springer A, Strube C, Jung C, Naucke TJ, Müller E, Schäfer I. Molecular and Serological Detection of Vector-Borne Pathogens Responsible for Equine Piroplasmosis in Europe between 2008 and 2021. Microorganisms 2024 Apr 17;12(4).
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