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Acta parasitologica2025; 70(2); 66; doi: 10.1007/s11686-025-01006-1

First Molecular Characterization of Theileria equi from Northeastern Algeria.

Abstract: Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease that affects equids and is caused by the parasites Theileria equi, Theileria haneyi and Babesia caballi. This disease leads to significant economic losses for the global equine industry. The current study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Piroplasmida infections in equines from El Tarf, located in northeastern Algeria, and investigate the phylogenetic diversity within isolates obtained from infected equines in this study and between those from previous studies. Methods: A total of 120 blood samples were collected from equines in three municipalities of El Tarf. The small subunit of the 18 S rRNA gene, commonly used for genotyping and phylogenetic analysis, was amplified from the positive samples and subsequently sequenced for further analysis. Results: The study found that 40% of equines were infected with T. equi, while no cases of B. caballi infection were detected. The positivity rate was almost identical across all three municipalities. Four distinct T. equi 18 S rRNA gene sequences were identified in equines from El Tarf. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these T. equi sequences could be categorized into three distinct clades. The isolates identified in this study grouped into clades A and C, indicating the presence of two genotypes of T. equi 18S rRNA sequences in El Tarf, Northeastern Algeria. Conclusions: The results confirmed a high prevalence of equine piroplasmosis in three municipalities of El Tarf. They also demonstrated that different isolates of T. equi can coexist within the same geographic region, offering additional insight into T. equi sequences. This finding emphasizes the significant implications for the surveillance of Apicomplexan parasites.
© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
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Publication Date: 2025-03-06 PubMed ID: 40050535PubMed Central: 6572709DOI: 10.1007/s11686-025-01006-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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.

Overview

  • This study investigated the presence and genetic diversity of the parasite Theileria equi in horses from northeastern Algeria, revealing a high infection rate and multiple genetic types coexisting in the region.

Introduction

  • Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a disease affecting horses, donkeys, and related animals, caused mainly by Theileria equi, Theileria haneyi, and Babesia caballi.
  • EP is transmitted by ticks and has serious economic impact on the equine industry worldwide due to illness and loss of animal productivity.
  • The study aimed to assess how common Theileria equi infection is among equines in the El Tarf region of northeastern Algeria and to examine the genetic diversity of the parasite strains present.

Methods

  • A total of 120 blood samples were collected from equines across three municipalities within the El Tarf region.
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) targeting the 18S rRNA gene—a genetic marker commonly used for identifying and classifying these parasites—was used to detect and genotype Theileria equi in positive samples.
  • Sequencing of the amplified 18S rRNA gene fragments enabled detailed genetic analysis and phylogenetic classification of the isolates.

Results

  • 40% of the tested equines were infected with Theileria equi, demonstrating a high prevalence of EP in the region.
  • No instances of Babesia caballi infection were found among the sampled animals.
  • The infection rate was consistent across the three municipalities studied, indicating widespread parasite presence in the entire area.
  • Four distinct genetic sequences of the T. equi 18S rRNA gene were identified in the infected horses from El Tarf.
  • Phylogenetic analysis grouped these sequences into three different clades (genetic clusters), with isolates from El Tarf falling into two of these clades, named A and C.
  • This shows that at least two different genotypes of T. equi coexist in this geographic region.

Conclusions

  • The study confirms a significant burden of equine piroplasmosis caused by T. equi in northeastern Algeria.
  • The coexistence of multiple genetic variants of T. equi within the same area has implications for disease monitoring, control strategies, and understanding parasite evolution.
  • The identification of distinct parasite genotypes provides valuable data that can improve epidemiological surveillance of apicomplexan parasites, the group to which Theileria belongs.
  • These insights may help in developing targeted interventions to reduce transmission and economic losses associated with equine piroplasmosis.

Cite This Article

APA
Sadeddine R, Righi S, Saidani K, Benakhla A. (2025). First Molecular Characterization of Theileria equi from Northeastern Algeria. Acta Parasitol, 70(2), 66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-025-01006-1

Publication

Acta parasitologica
ISSN: 1896-1851
NlmUniqueID: 9301947
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 70
Issue: 2
Pages: 66

Researcher Affiliations

Sadeddine, Rima
  • Department, of Veterinary Science, Chadli Bendjedid University, El Tarf, 36000, Algeria. r.sadeddine@univ-eltarf.dz.
Righi, Souad
  • Department, of Veterinary Science, Chadli Bendjedid University, El Tarf, 36000, Algeria.
Saidani, Khelaf
  • Institute Veterinary Science, Saad Dahleb University, Blida, 9000, Algeria.
Benakhla, Ahmed
  • Department, of Veterinary Science, Chadli Bendjedid University, El Tarf, 36000, Algeria.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Theileria / genetics
  • Theileria / classification
  • Theileria / isolation & purification
  • Algeria / epidemiology
  • Horses
  • Theileriasis / epidemiology
  • Theileriasis / parasitology
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
  • Genotype
  • Prevalence
  • Babesiosis / epidemiology
  • Babesiosis / parasitology
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Genetic Variation
  • Babesia / genetics
  • Babesia / isolation & purification

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declarations. Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Soliman AM, Elhawary NM, Helmy NM, El-Seify MA, Amer MM, Mohamed S, Memon FU, Rashid MHO, Gadelhaq SM. Molecular detection and genotyping of Theileria equi infection within the equine population in Giza, Egypt, using real-time PCR as compared with conventional detection methods. Iran J Vet Res 2025;26(2):145-151.
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