Frequency and factors associated with Theileria equi, Babesia caballi and Trypanosoma evansi in equids from Bahia (Northeast Brazil).

The research paper aimed to determine the frequency and risk factors associated with parasitic infections Babesia caballi, Theileria equi and Trypanosoma evansi in equines in Northeast Brazil.

Research Method

• The researchers collected blood samples from 569 equines, including 528 horses, 8 mules, and 33 donkeys, from Northeast Brazil.
• The presence of each of the protozoan parasites’ DNA in the samples was tested using a method called polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
• Generalised linear models were employed to identify and evaluate potential risk factors associated with the infections.

Results and Findings

• The study found the frequency of Theileria equi infection at 83.5% among the total equines sampled, with 84.3% in horses and 73.2% in donkeys and mules.
• According to the final model results, age (particularly the senior group) and equine species (particularly mules and donkeys) acted as protective factors against Theileria equi infection.
• Babesia caballi infection frequency occurred in 24.3% of sampled equines, with 23.5% infection rate in horses and 34.1% in donkeys and mules.
• The researchers also found that age (adult and senior groups) was a protective factor against Babesia caballi infection, while the species of the equine (donkeys and mules) were identified as a risk factor for the same infection.
• There were no detected cases of Trypanosoma evansi infection in any of the animals in the study.

Conclusions

• The study concludes that equines from the research area may contract the etiological agents of equine piroplasmosis early in their lives and become asymptomatic carriers.
• It also highlights the importance of age and species type as significant factors associated with the likelihood of contracting these infections.