Genetic diversity and prevalence of piroplasm species in equids from Turkey.

The research paper aims to investigate the genetic diversity and prevalence of piroplasm species, which cause Equine piroplasmosis, in equids (horses and donkeys) in Turkey using the Reverse Line Blotting technique.

Methods

• The study analysed a total of 233 blood samples from 142 horses and 91 donkeys collated from various regions in Turkey.
• The team made use of the Reverse Line Blotting (RLB) technique, a method that allows simultaneous detection of different piroplasm species.

Findings

• The study found a piroplasm infection prevalence of 33.5% amongst the equids.
• T. equi, which is one of the protozoon species causing Equine piroplasmosis, was found to be the most common piroplasm species among the samples at a rate of 20.2%.
• Contrary to expectations, the B. caballi species, another pathogen for Equine piroplasmosis, was not found in the samples tested.
• Unexpectedly, nine samples that showed positive results for general Theileria/Babesia presence, when subjected to species-specific probe testing, failed to hybridize, indicating the potential existence of unidentified Theileria genotypes or strains.

Further Analysis and Findings

• Out of these nine samples and two additional samples that showed definitive signs for T. equi, genetic sequence analysis revealed the presence of A and D genotypes of T. equi.
• Additionally, species such as T. annulata, B. ovis, and B. canis, which were not initially anticipated, were discovered in the samples. These findings were then reconfirmed through sequence analysis.

Conclusion

• This research led to the discovery of prevalent and diverse piroplasm species in equids in Turkey.
• The unanticipated findings suggest that there might be unknown genotypes of piroplasms, requiring further studies to understand their potential clinical impact on equids.