In vitro isolation of equine piroplasms derived from Cape Mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) in South Africa.
Abstract: Twenty blood samples of zebras (Equus zebra zebra) from the Karoo National Park and the Bontebok National Park in South Africa, all seropositive for Theileria equi, were subjected to in vitro culture to identify carrier animals and to isolate the parasites. Sixteen animals had a detectable parasitaemia in Giemsa-stained blood smears examined before culture initiation, the remaining four animals were identified as T. equi carriers by in vitro culture. Cultures were initiated either in an oxygen-reduced gas mixture or in a 5% CO2-in-air atmosphere. Out of the 20 blood samples, 12 cultures of T. equi and two cultures of T. equi mixed with Babesia caballi were established. None of the four animals seropositive for B. caballi could be identified as carrier animals, whereas two seronegative samples became culture-positive for B. caballi.
Publication Date: 2002-10-03 PubMed ID: 12356165
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study focuses on the in vitro (lab-based) isolation of parasites found in the blood of Cape Mountain zebras in South Africa to identify carrier animals and gain a better understanding of the parasites.
Research Objective
- The goal of the study was to conduct in vitro cultivation of parasite species known as Theileria equi from the blood of Cape Mountain zebras. By doing so, the researchers aimed to isolate these parasites and identify the carrier animals.
Studied Subjects and Applied Methods
- Researchers collected twenty blood samples from zebras in two national parks in South Africa. All subjects tested positive for Theileria equi.
- In vitro culture was carried out, in which the blood samples were grown under controlled lab conditions. Researchers assessed the blood smears before the initiation of the culture.
- Additionally, the cultures were initiated in two distinct environments – an oxygen-reduced gas mixture and a 5% CO2-in-air atmosphere.
Research Findings
- Out of the twenty zebras, blood smear examination revealed that sixteen showed signs of parasitaemia, indicating the presence of the parasites in their blood.
- Four samples were detected as T. equi carriers only through in vitro culture. These animals did not show parasitaemia in the initial blood smear examination.
- Out of all the samples, researchers successfully established twelve cultures of T. equi and two which were a mixture of T. equi with another species of parasite, Babesia caballi.
- Interestingly, none of the four animals that tested positive for B. caballi could be identified as carrier animals, whereas two samples initially reported as B. caballi negative turned out to be culture positive for B. caballi. Thus, suggesting that conventional serology could miss some carriers who can be identified through culture.
Study Impact
- This research offers valuable insight into the presence and prevalence of these parasites in Cape Mountain zebra populations, as well as the potential inconsistencies within existing testing methods. The findings could help enhance surveillance methods and inform treatment strategies for the affected animal populations.
Cite This Article
APA
Zweygarth E, Lopez-Rebollar LM, Meyer P.
(2002).
In vitro isolation of equine piroplasms derived from Cape Mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) in South Africa.
Onderstepoort J Vet Res, 69(3), 197-200.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Parasitology Division, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, South Africa.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Babesia / isolation & purification
- Babesiosis / diagnosis
- Babesiosis / epidemiology
- Babesiosis / veterinary
- Carrier State / diagnosis
- Carrier State / veterinary
- Equidae / parasitology
- In Vitro Techniques
- Parasitemia / diagnosis
- Parasitemia / epidemiology
- Parasitemia / veterinary
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- South Africa
- Theileria / isolation & purification
- Theileriasis / diagnosis
- Theileriasis / epidemiology
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Tirosh-Levy S, Gottlieb Y, Fry LM, Knowles DP, Steinman A. Twenty Years of Equine Piroplasmosis Research: Global Distribution, Molecular Diagnosis, and Phylogeny.. Pathogens 2020 Nov 8;9(11).
- Smith RM, Bhoora RV, Kotzé A, Grobler JP, Lee Dalton D. Translocation a potential corridor for equine piroplasms in Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra).. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2019 Aug;9:130-133.
- Odeniran PO, Ademola IO, Jegede HO. A review of wildlife tourism and meta-analysis of parasitism in Africa's national parks and game reserves.. Parasitol Res 2018 Aug;117(8):2359-2378.
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