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Parasites & vectors2020; 13(1); 459; doi: 10.1186/s13071-020-04338-1

First report of genetic diversity and risk factor analysis of equine piroplasm infection in equids in Jilin, China.

Abstract: Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne hemoprotozoan disease of equids, caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. Equine piroplasmosis represents a serious challenge to the equine industry due to important economic losses worldwide. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in equids from Jilin Province, China. Methods: A total of 220 blood samples (192 horses and 28 donkeys/mules) were collected from March 2018 to October 2019 in five districts of Jilin Province and analyzed by PCR. Potential risk factors, including the region, sex, management, and host species of the animals were assessed in relation to T. equi infection. Moreover, the V4 hypervariable region of the T. equi 18S rRNA gene was analyzed to identify specific genotypes. Results: The overall prevalence of T. equi in equids was 27.7%, whereas B. caballi infection was not identified. The district with the highest positive rate was Baicheng (43.3%), followed by Tonghua (28.9%), Yanbian (26.4%), Jilin (23.3%), and Liaoyuan (20.9%). The sex of the animals and farm management were identified as main risk factors, which were significantly associated with the prevalence of Equine piroplasmosis (P < 0.05). The risk factor analysis indicated that the females were at a higher risk (OR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.17-5.27) of being infected compared to the males, whereas the organized farm was protective factor (OR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.22-0.80). The phylogenetic analyses revealed that there were two T. equi genotypes (A and E) in Jilin. Conclusions: Our findings provided important epidemiological data for the prevention and control of T. equi infection in Jilin, China.
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Publication Date: 2020-09-09 PubMed ID: 32907616PubMed Central: PMC7479743DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04338-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article discusses an investigation into the prevalence and genetic diversity of Equine piroplasmosis in horses and donkeys in the Jilin Province, China, highlighting risk factors and suggesting preventive measures.

Objective of the study

  • The primary aim of the research was to evaluate the presence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections, responsible for Equine piroplasmosis, in equids (horses and donkeys) in Jilin Province, China.
  • The study further sought to determine potential risk factors associated with T. equi infection and to analyze the genetic diversity of the parasite in the region.

Methodology

  • The researchers collected blood samples from 192 horses and 28 donkeys/mules across five districts of Jilin Province from March 2018 to October 2019.
  • They used the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) method to analyze the samples for T. equi and B. caballi infections.
  • They considered various risk factors, such as region, sex, management practices, and host species, in relation to T. equi infection.
  • The team also conducted a genetic analysis of the V4 hypervariable region of the T. equi 18S rRNA gene to identify specific genotypes of the parasite present.

Results

  • The overall prevalence of T. equi in equids was found to be 27.7%, whereas no B. caballi infection was detected.
  • District-wise, the infection was most prevalent in Baicheng (43.3%), followed by Tonghua, Yanbian, Jilin, and Liaoyuan.
  • Both the sex of the equids and farm management practices emerged as significant risk factors associated with the prevalence of Equine piroplasmosis.
  • The study found female equids had a higher infection risk, whereas organized farm management acted as a protective factor reducing the prevalence.
  • Genetic analysis showed the presence of two T. equi genotypes (A and E) in Jilin.

Conclusion

  • The findings contribute valuable epidemiological data that can aid in developing strategies to prevent and control T. equi infection in Jilin, China.
  • The research emphasizes the need for vigilant monitoring and effective management practices, especially in regions showing higher infection rates.
  • Further, understanding the genetic diversity of T. equi can help in studying the disease’s evolution and develop targeted treatments.

Cite This Article

APA
Zhao S, Wang H, Zhang S, Xie S, Li H, Zhang X, Jia L. (2020). First report of genetic diversity and risk factor analysis of equine piroplasm infection in equids in Jilin, China. Parasit Vectors, 13(1), 459. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-020-04338-1

Publication

Parasites & vectors
ISSN: 1756-3305
NlmUniqueID: 101462774
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 1
Pages: 459
PII: 459

Researcher Affiliations

Zhao, Shaowei
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture College of Yanbian University, No. 977 Park Road, Yanji, 133000, China.
Wang, Hao
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture College of Yanbian University, No. 977 Park Road, Yanji, 133000, China.
Zhang, Shuang
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture College of Yanbian University, No. 977 Park Road, Yanji, 133000, China.
Xie, Suzhu
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture College of Yanbian University, No. 977 Park Road, Yanji, 133000, China.
Li, Hang
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture College of Yanbian University, No. 977 Park Road, Yanji, 133000, China.
Zhang, Xuancheng
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture College of Yanbian University, No. 977 Park Road, Yanji, 133000, China.
Jia, Lijun
  • Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture College of Yanbian University, No. 977 Park Road, Yanji, 133000, China. lijunjia1015@sohu.com.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Babesia / genetics
  • Babesia / isolation & purification
  • Babesiosis / epidemiology
  • Cattle / parasitology
  • China / epidemiology
  • Equidae / parasitology
  • Genes, Protozoan
  • Genetic Variation
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses / parasitology
  • Phylogeny
  • Prevalence
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Theileria / genetics
  • Theileria / isolation & purification
  • Theileriasis / epidemiology
  • Tick-Borne Diseases / veterinary

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Liang W, Zhao S, Wang N, Tang Z, Zhao F, Liu M, Jin W, Meng Y, Jia L. Molecular occurrence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in equids in Jilin, China.. Sci Rep 2022 Jul 30;12(1):13121.
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  2. Elsawy BSM, Nassar AM, Alzan HF, Bhoora RV, Ozubek S, Mahmoud MS, Kandil OM, Mahdy OA. Rapid Detection of Equine Piroplasms Using Multiplex PCR and First Genetic Characterization of Theileria haneyi in Egypt.. Pathogens 2021 Oct 31;10(11).
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  3. Galon EM, Macalanda AM, Garcia MM, Ibasco CJ, Garvida A, Ji S, Zafar I, Hasegawa Y, Liu M, Ybañez RH, Umemiya-Shirafuji R, Ybañez A, Claveria F, Xuan X. Molecular Identification of Selected Tick-Borne Protozoan and Bacterial Pathogens in Thoroughbred Racehorses in Cavite, Philippines.. Pathogens 2021 Oct 13;10(10).
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