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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Sci / Evaluation of Blood Biochemical Parameters and Ratios in Pir...
Veterinary sciences2025; 12(7); 643; doi: 10.3390/vetsci12070643

Evaluation of Blood Biochemical Parameters and Ratios in Piroplasmosis-Infected Horses in an Endemic Region.

Abstract: Equine piroplasmosis (EP), caused by and , is a worldwide tick-borne disease with severe economic, commercial, and sanitary implications for equids. Although diagnosis is based on direct (blood smear or PCR) or indirect (serology) methods, these techniques are expensive, laborious, and false-negative and false-positive results can be yielded. Biochemistry blood profiles are routinely performed in horses. Biochemical parameters and ratios could be a reliable complementary diagnostic tool to assist clinicians in EP diagnosis, mainly in endemic areas, or for discarding similar disorders (piro-like diseases) and prioritizing specific diagnostic testing. This study describes the changes induced by EP infection in blood biochemical parameters and common and novel biochemical ratios in horses. EP-infected horses showed increased serum total and indirect bilirubin, triglycerides, and GLDH concentrations and decreased sodium concentrations compared to non-infected animals. These findings could be linked to hemolysis, diminution of athletic performance, and liver inflammation due to oxidative stress damage. While molecular methods remain the gold standard for EP diagnosis, a complete biochemical profile and ratios could provide valuable complementary information to enhance the diagnostic accuracy of piroplasmosis in horses.
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Publication Date: 2025-07-05 PubMed ID: 40711303PubMed Central: PMC12300670DOI: 10.3390/vetsci12070643Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 article explores the changes in blood biochemical parameters and ratios in horses infected with Equine Piroplasmosis, a tick-borne disease. The findings suggest that such parameters could be a reliable additional diagnostic tool for the ailment.

Overview of Equine Piroplasmosis and Need for Study

  • Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a debilitating tick-borne disease caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, affecting horses worldwide.
  • The disease has significant economic, commercial, and health implications for horses.
  • Current diagnosis methods include direct (blood smear or PCR) and indirect (serology) techniques, but these can be costly, laborious, and may yield false results.
  • There is a need for more reliable diagnostic methods, particularly in endemic regions and for distinguishing piroplasmosis from similar illnesses.

Role of Biochemical Parameters and Ratios

  • The researchers sought to investigate whether blood biochemical parameters and ratios could provide an efficient adjunct diagnostic tool.
  • Blood biochemistry profiles are routinely completed in horses, so this could represent a practical approach.
  • The study focused on the changes brought about by EP infection on these parameters and ratios.

Key Findings of the Study

  • EP-infected horses showed increased levels of serum total and indirect bilirubin, triglycerides, and GLDH concentrations, alongside decreased sodium concentrations when compared to healthy horses.
  • These changes could be tied to the breaking down of red blood cells (hemolysis), reduced athletic performance, and inflammation of the liver due to oxidative stress damage.

Implications and Conclusions

  • Despite molecular methods being the standard for diagnosing EP, a comprehensive biochemical profile and ratios could provide valuable additional diagnostic information.
  • Such supplementary data could improve the diagnostic accuracy of equine piroplasmosis and prioritize specific tests.

Cite This Article

APA
Duaso J, Perez-Ecija A, Navarro A, Martínez E, De Las Heras A, Mendoza FJ. (2025). Evaluation of Blood Biochemical Parameters and Ratios in Piroplasmosis-Infected Horses in an Endemic Region. Vet Sci, 12(7), 643. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12070643

Publication

Veterinary sciences
ISSN: 2306-7381
NlmUniqueID: 101680127
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 7
PII: 643

Researcher Affiliations

Duaso, Juan
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain.
Perez-Ecija, Alejandro
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain.
Navarro, Ana
  • Gasset Laboratory, DAV SALUD SL, 18200 Granada, Spain.
Martínez, Esther
  • Gasset Laboratory, DAV SALUD SL, 18200 Granada, Spain.
De Las Heras, Adelaida
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain.
Mendoza, Francisco J
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain.

Grant Funding

  • AGR 277 / University of Cu00f3rdoba

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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