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Folia parasitologica2023; 70; doi: 10.14411/fp.2023.005

Evidence of transplacental transmission of equine piroplasms Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in an Italian breed mare.

Abstract: Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a vector borne disease caused by apicomplexans protists Babesia caballi (Nuttal et Strickland, 1910) and Theileria equi (Laveran, 1901). Carrier mares may transmit the infection transplacental resulting in neonatal piroplasmosis or abortions. This event has been described for T. equi by several authors over the world, but no evidence for B. caballi has been reported in Europe. In this study, vertical transmission for both parasites in an Italian breed mare has been confirmed using molecular and microscopic tools. Transplacental transmission is an underestimated problem mainly in endemic areas as it not only contributes to the spread and maintenance of the infection, but also produces significant economic losses.
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Publication Date: 2023-02-10 PubMed ID: 36960775DOI: 10.14411/fp.2023.005Google 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.

This scientific study confirms that equine piroplasmosis, a horse disease, can be transmitted from mother to foal before birth in an Italian breed mare. The research used molecular and microscopic tools and showed this type of transmission is contributing to the ongoing issue and economic damage in areas where the disease is common.

About Equine Piroplasmosis

  • Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a disease found in horses, caused by two types of microorganisms, Babesia caballi and Theileria equi. These microorganisms are transmitted to horses through tick bites.
  • Unfortunately, mares that carry these infective agents can also transmit them to their unborn foals through the placenta. This process is known as transplacental transmission.

The Study

  • In this particular study, researchers demonstrated the transplacental transmission of both Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in an Italian breed mare.
  • To achieve this, they effectively utilised molecular and microscopic techniques, providing a more definitive proof of in utero transmission. These techniques allowed for the detection and visualisation of these microorganisms, thereby confirming the occurrence of transplacental transmission.

Implications of the Study

  • This research is significant because, before this study, there was no definitive proof of Babesia caballi transmission across the placenta in European breeds.
  • The study suggests that this type of transmission might be an underappreciated issue, particularly in regions where equine piroplasmosis is endemic. The presence of these parasites can have larger implications for the equine industry, leading to economic losses.
  • The researchers highlight that this transmission method not only contributes to the continued spread and maintenance of the disease, but it also results in economic losses due to abortion of foals or treatment costs for neonatal piroplasmosis.

Cite This Article

APA
Bartolome Del Pino LE, Meana A, Zini M, Cersini A. (2023). Evidence of transplacental transmission of equine piroplasms Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in an Italian breed mare. Folia Parasitol (Praha), 70. https://doi.org/10.14411/fp.2023.005

Publication

Folia parasitologica
ISSN: 1803-6465
NlmUniqueID: 0065750
Country: Czech Republic
Language: English
Volume: 70

Researcher Affiliations

Bartolome Del Pino, Leticia E
  • Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Health, Madrid, Spain.
Meana, Aranzazu
  • Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Health, Madrid, Spain.
Zini, Maurizio
  • Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", Rome, Italy.
Cersini, Antonella
  • Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana "M. Aleandri", Rome, Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Pregnancy
  • Cattle
  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Babesia
  • Theileria
  • Babesiosis / parasitology
  • Theileriasis / epidemiology
  • Theileriasis / parasitology
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Italy / epidemiology

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This article includes 16 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 10 times.
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