First Detection of Anti-Besnoitia spp. Antibodies in Equids in Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Abstract: is a tissue cyst forming coccidia, which affects multiple host species worldwide. Equine besnoitiosis is characterized mainly by generalized skin lesions and cysts in the scleral conjunctiva. Recent reports revealed exposure to in equines in Europe and the United States. However, the exposure to spp. in the Israeli equine population was never investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors for besnoitiosis in equids in Israel. A cross-sectional serosurvey was performed using serum samples of apparently healthy horses ( = 347), donkeys ( = 98), and mules ( = 6), and exposure to spp. was determined by an immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Anti- spp. antibodies were detected in 17.7% equids, 6.9% horses, 33.3% mules, and 55.1% donkeys. The seroprevalence in donkeys was significantly higher than in horses ( < 0.001). A significant association between the geographic location and seropositivity was found both in horses and donkeys, which was significantly higher ( = 0.004) in horses sampled in southern Israel, and donkeys sampled in Israel versus the Palestinian Authority ( < 0.001). This is the first serosurvey of infection in equines in Israel, and the results are consistent with reports from Europe. The clinical significance of equine besnoitiosis should be further investigated.
Publication Date: 2023-04-03 PubMed ID: 37110352PubMed Central: PMC10143183DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11040929Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research project focuses on the first recorded presence of anti-Besnoitia spp. antibodies in equids (including horses, mules, and donkeys) in Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Anti-Besnoitia antibodies were identified in 17.7% of the tested equids, with the frequency of these antibodies being higher in donkeys and mules compared to horses.
Research Motivation and Objectives
- The impetus behind the research is the lack of prior investigations into any exposure to “Besnoitia spp.” – a species of parasitic organisms that cause illness – in Israel’s equine population. Equine besnoitiosis, the disease caused by these parasites, includes symptoms such as skin ailments and eye problems.
- This study’s main objective is to gauge the frequency of besnoitiosis (indicated by the detection of anti-Besnoitia antibodies) in equids in Israel, and to identify any risk factors associated with it.
Research Methodology
- The study involved a cross-sectional serosurvey, which is an epidemiological study to assess the frequency of a disease or condition in a population at a particular point in time. This method is especially useful in identifying seroprevalence (i.e. the number of individuals in a population who test positive for a specific disease based on blood serum).
- Blood samples from 347 horses, 98 donkeys, and 6 mules, all appearing healthy, were used for the serosurvey. The existence of anti-Besnoitia spp. antibodies in these samples was assessed using an immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT).
Key Findings
- Anti-Besnoitia spp. antibodies were present in 17.7% of the tested equids. Breakdown by species revealed these antibodies in 6.9% of horses, 33.3% of mules, and 55.1% of donkeys.
- The rate of seroprevalence was significantly higher in donkeys when compared to horses.
- The study found a significant association between geographical location and seropositivity both in horses and donkeys. Specifically, horses in southern Israel and donkeys in Israel had a higher seroprevalence compared to those in the Palestinian Authority.
Conclusion and Further Research
- The study concludes that the findings are in compliance with similar studies conducted in Europe and America.
- This research paves the way for further investigation into the clinical significance of besnoitiosis amongst equids.
Cite This Article
APA
Berman N, Tirosh-Levy S, Steinman A, Minderigiu A, Blinder E, Leszkowicz Mazuz M.
(2023).
First Detection of Anti-Besnoitia spp. Antibodies in Equids in Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Microorganisms, 11(4), 929.
https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11040929 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan 5025004, Israel.
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan 5025004, Israel.
- Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Bet Dagan 5025004, Israel.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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