Estimation of the transmission dynamics of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in horses.
Abstract: For the evaluation of the epidemiology of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in a herd of 510 horses in SW Mongolia, several mathematical models of the transmission dynamics were constructed. Because the field data contain information on the presence of the parasite (determined by PCR) and the presence of antibodies (determined by IFAT), the models cater for maternal protection with antibodies, susceptible animals, infected animals and animals which have eliminated the parasite and also allow for age-dependent infection in susceptible animals. Maximum likelihood estimation procedures were used to estimate the model parameters and a Monte Carlo approach was applied to select the best fitting model. Overall, the results are in line with previous experimental work, and add evidence that the epidemiology of T. equi differs from that of Babesia spp. The presented modelling approach provides a useful tool for the investigation of some vector-borne diseases and the applied model selection procedure avoids asymptotical assumptions that may not be adequate for the analysis of epidemiological field data.
Publication Date: 2008-02-27 PubMed ID: 18302805DOI: 10.1017/S0031182008004204Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article focuses on the evaluation of the transmission dynamics of parasites Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in horses, particularly in SW Mongolia. Mathematical models are used in accordance with real field data to calculate the effects of maternal protection, age dependency, and more.
Objective of the Research
The primary focus of this research was to evaluate the prevalence and transmission dynamics of parasites Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in a herd of 510 horses in South West Mongolia.
Methodology
- The researchers designed several mathematical models to assist with the interpretation of the transmission dynamics.
- The models were structured considering the field data which encapsulated information on the presence of the parasite (determined via PCR – Polymerase Chain Reaction) and the existence of antibodies (identified by IFAT – Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test).
- The models also considered several factors such as maternal protection through antibodies, susceptibility of the animals, infected ones, those that have eliminated the parasites as well as susceptibility based on the age of the animals.
- The estimation of the model parameters was carried out using the Maximum Likelihood Estimation procedures.
- A Monte Carlo approach was employed to choose the most suitable model.
Results and Conclusion
- The findings of the research corresponded with the prior experimental work and showcased evidence that the epidemiology of T. equi varies from that of Babesia spp.
- The modeling approach introduced in the study serves as a helpful tool for analyzing some vector-borne diseases.
- The application of the model selection procedure makes it possible to avoid asymptotical assumptions that may not be ideal for analyzing epidemiological field data.
In conclusion, this research presents a breakthrough in the analytical understanding of the epidemiology of parasitic diseases in equine animals, offering an efficient tool in the form of a mathematical model for further investigations.
Cite This Article
APA
Rüegg SR, Heinzmann D, Barbour AD, Torgerson PR.
(2008).
Estimation of the transmission dynamics of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in horses.
Parasitology, 135(5), 555-565.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182008004204 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Babesia / classification
- Babesiosis / parasitology
- Babesiosis / transmission
- Babesiosis / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horse Diseases / transmission
- Horses
- Models, Biological
- Mongolia / epidemiology
- Monte Carlo Method
- Theileria / classification
- Theileriasis / parasitology
- Theileriasis / transmission
Citations
This article has been cited 12 times.- Huyen Ton Nu Nguyet M, Bougeard S, Babin A, Dubois E, Druesne C, Rivière MP, Laurent M, Chauzat MP. Building composite indices in the age of big data - Application to honey bee exposure to infectious and parasitic agents. Heliyon 2023 Apr;9(4):e15244.
- Nadal C, Marsot M, Le Metayer G, Boireau P, Guillot J, Bonnet SI. Spatial and Temporal Circulation of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in France Based on Seven Years of Serological Data. Pathogens 2022 Feb 9;11(2).
- Tirosh-Levy S, Mazuz ML, Savitsky I, Pinkas D, Gottlieb Y, Steinman A. Serological and Molecular Prevalence of Babesia caballi in Apparently Healthy Horses in Israel. Pathogens 2021 Apr 8;10(4).
- 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).
- Aziz KJ, Al-Barwary LTO. Epidemiological Study of Equine Piroplasmosis (Theileria equi and Babesia caballi) by Microscopic Examination and Competitive-ELISA in Erbil Province North-Iraq. Iran J Parasitol 2019 Jul-Sep;14(3):404-412.
- Smith RM, Bhoora RV, Kotzé A, Grobler JP, Lee Dalton D. Translocation a potential corridor for equine piroplasms in Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra). Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2019 Aug;9:130-133.
- Otero-Abad B, Rüegg SR, Hegglin D, Deplazes P, Torgerson PR. Mathematical modelling of Echinococcus multilocularis abundance in foxes in Zurich, Switzerland. Parasit Vectors 2017 Jan 11;10(1):21.
- Schnyder M, Maurelli MP, Morgoglione ME, Kohler L, Deplazes P, Torgerson P, Cringoli G, Rinaldi L. Comparison of faecal techniques including FLOTAC for copromicroscopic detection of first stage larvae of Angiostrongylus vasorum. Parasitol Res 2011 Jul;109(1):63-9.
- Ziadinov I, Deplazes P, Mathis A, Mutunova B, Abdykerimov K, Nurgaziev R, Torgerson PR. Frequency distribution of Echinococcus multilocularis and other helminths of foxes in Kyrgyzstan. Vet Parasitol 2010 Aug 4;171(3-4):286-92.
- Altay K, Erol U, Sahin OF, Ulucesme MC, Aytmirzakizi A, Aktas M. Survey of tick-borne pathogens in grazing horses in Kyrgyzstan: phylogenetic analysis, genetic diversity, and prevalence of Theileria equi. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1359974.
- Coluccia P, Gizzarelli M, Scicluna MT, Manna G, Foglia Manzillo V, Buono F, Auletta L, Palumbo V, Pasolini MP. A cross-sectional study on performance evaluation in Italian standardbred horses' real-time PCR-positive for Theileria equi. BMC Vet Res 2024 Mar 5;20(1):79.
- Elsawy BSM, Mahmoud MS, Suarez CE, Alzan HF. Impact of Equine and Camel Piroplasmosis in Egypt: How Much Do We Know about the Current Situation?. Pathogens 2023 Nov 5;12(11).
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