Importance of equine piroplasmosis antibody presence in Spanish horses prior to export.

The research article investigates the prevalence of equine piroplasmosis (EP), a disease caused by parasites, in Spanish horses set for export between 2015 and 2018. The study highlights the economic implications of EP prevalence on the equine industry, and suggests preventive measures that would allow a higher number of horses to be exported.

Research Objective and Background

• The study aimed to analyze the presence of antibodies against equine piroplasmosis (EP), a parasitic disease in horses caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, in Spanish horses set for export.
• EP plays a significant role in export testing requirements for horses globally, and the presence of EP can impact the economic viability of horse exports, especially for EP-endemic countries like Spain.
• The researchers used serological tests (blood tests that look for antibodies) to determine the prevalence of EP in Spanish horses.

Methodology and Findings

• The researchers tested 3368 serum samples from healthy horses collected prior to export between 2015 and 2018.
• A competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA), a technique used to measure the amount of antibodies in a solution, was used to detect antibodies against T. equi and B. caballi.
• The study found that about 24.1% of the horses tested had antibodies against EP, indicating they were infected with the disease and thus couldn’t be exported to EP-free countries.

Implications and Recommendations

• The high prevalence of EP in Spanish horses intended for export poses significant economic implications, as a quarter of the horses analysed couldn’t be exported due to the disease.
• To combat this issue, the researchers suggest implementing preventive measures like using acaricides (pesticides that kill ticks and mites) and checking horses for ticks daily.
• Additionally, regular serological screening of horses would help detect and manage the disease, thereby potentially increasing the number of horses that can be exported from Spain.