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Tropical animal health and production2022; 54(2); 103; doi: 10.1007/s11250-022-03095-w

Hematology and biochemical values in equines naturally infected with Theileria equi in Nigeria.

Abstract: Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease of equines with resultant economic consequences. To date, little information is available regarding the effects of EP on the health of equids in Nigeria. Therefore, this study was carried out to ascertain the effects of natural sub-clinical infection with T. equi on the hematology and biochemical profiles of horses and donkeys. Blood and serum samples were subjected to hematology and serum biochemistry analyses, respectively. Data corresponding to PCR-positive (infected) and PCR-negative (uninfected) was computed to ascertain changes in any of the parameters. Hematological significant findings (P<0.001) in both horses and donkeys include decreased packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and white blood cell (WBC) counts in the infected group compared to the uninfected group. In horses, the PCV (%) and Hb (g/dL) values were 40.6±1.0 and 13.4±1.7 in the uninfected group compared with 30.8±0.6 and 10.1±0.3 in the infected group respectively and differs significantly (P<0.001). Similarly, in the donkeys, the PCV (%) and Hb (g/dL) values were 32.2 ± 0.5 and 10.5 ± 0.2 in the uninfected group compared with 28.5±0.7 and 9.5±0.2 in the infected group respectively with significant difference (P<0.001). Additionally, we observed a slight decrease in WBC counts (×10/μL) in the infected group in horses (9.9±0.4) and donkeys (10.2±4.3) compared with 10.5±2.0 and 13.0±0.8 from the uninfected respectively. Serum biochemical profiles revealed slight increase in the levels of total proteins principally the globulin fractions in the infected group in both equids. The findings from this study will be helpful in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment evaluation of equines in Nigeria.
© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.
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Publication Date: 2022-02-14 PubMed ID: 35157179PubMed Central: 15817201DOI: 10.1007/s11250-022-03095-wGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research article has focused on investigating the effects of Equine piroplasmosis (EP), a tick-borne disease, on the blood characteristics and biochemical profiles of horses and donkeys in Nigeria, where there is a scarcity of related information.

Sample Collection and Testing

  • The researchers collected blood and serum samples from both horses and donkeys, naturally infected with the Theileria equi parasite, which causes Equine piroplasmosis.
  • These samples were put through hematology and serum biochemistry analyses.
  • Data from Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-positive samples (indicating infection) and PCR-negative samples (indicating no infection) was compared to discern changes in any of the parameters examined.

Hematological Findings

  • The study led to significant findings related to hematology of horses and donkeys infected with T. equi.
  • Infected animals showed a decrease in packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and white blood cell (WBC) counts when compared to their uninfected counterparts (significance level P<0.001).
  • The PCV and Hb values for both horses and donkeys, when infected with T. equi, were significantly lower than the values observed in the non-infected group.
  • A mild decrease was also observed in the WBC count in infected horses and donkeys.

Biochemical Indicators

  • On observing the serum biochemical profiles of the infected horses and donkeys, the researchers found an increase in the levels of total proteins, primarily the globulin fractions.

Implications of the Research

  • The significant changes reported in the hematological values in horses and donkeys inflicted with Equine piroplasmosis can serve as valuable indicators for diagnosing the infection.
  • These findings could also be instrumental in evaluating treatment outcomes and providing prognosis for equines in Nigeria infected with EP.

Cite This Article

APA
Onyiche TE, Igwenagu E, Malgwi SA, Omeh IJ, Biu AA, Thekisoe O. (2022). Hematology and biochemical values in equines naturally infected with Theileria equi in Nigeria. Trop Anim Health Prod, 54(2), 103. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-022-03095-w

Publication

Tropical animal health and production
ISSN: 1573-7438
NlmUniqueID: 1277355
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 54
Issue: 2
Pages: 103

Researcher Affiliations

Onyiche, ThankGod E
  • Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa. et.onyiche@unimaid.edu.ng.
  • Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1069, Maiduguri, 600230, Nigeria. et.onyiche@unimaid.edu.ng.
Igwenagu, Ephraim
  • Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1069, Maiduguri, 600230, Nigeria.
Malgwi, Samson A
  • Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1069, Maiduguri, 600230, Nigeria.
Omeh, Isaac J
  • Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1069, Maiduguri, 600230, Nigeria.
Biu, Abdullahi A
  • Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1069, Maiduguri, 600230, Nigeria.
Thekisoe, Oriel
  • Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Babesiosis
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases
  • Hematology
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses
  • Nigeria
  • Theileria
  • Theileriasis / epidemiology

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Ullah A, Geng M, Chen W, Zhu Q, Shi L, Zhang X, Akhtar MF, Wang C, Khan MZ. Effect of Parasitic Infections on Hematological Profile, Reproductive and Productive Performance in Equines. Animals (Basel) 2025 Nov 14;15(22).
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