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Home / Equine Research Bank / Parasitology / Infections by Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in Jordania...
Parasitology2013; 140(9); 1096-1103; doi: 10.1017/S0031182013000486

Infections by Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in Jordanian equids: epidemiology and genetic diversity.

Abstract: Microscopic diagnosis of equine piroplasmoses, caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, is hindered by low parasitaemia during the latent phase of the infections. However, this constraint can be overcome by the application of PCR followed by sequencing. Out of 288 animals examined, the piroplasmid DNA was detected in 78 (27·1%). Multiplex PCR indicated that T. equi (18·8%) was more prevalent than B. caballi (7·3%), while mixed infections were conspicuously absent. Sequences of 69 PCR amplicons obtained by the 'catch-all' PCR were in concordance with those amplified by the multiplex strategy. Computed minimal adequate model analyses for both equine piroplasmid species separately showed a significant effect of host species and age in the case of T. equi, while in the B. caballi infections only the correlation with host sex was significant. Phylogenetic analyses inferred the occurrence of three genotypes of T. equi and B. caballi. Moreover, a novel genotype C of B. caballi was identified. The dendrogram based on obtained sequences of T. equi revealed possible speciation events. The infections with T. equi and B. caballi are enzootic in all ecozones of Jordan and different genotypes circulate wherever dense horse population exists.
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Publication Date: 2013-05-15 PubMed ID: 23673249DOI: 10.1017/S0031182013000486Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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This research article studied the prevalence and genetic diversity of two types of parasitic diseases in horses in Jordan, using PCR and sequencing techniques for detection. It found these diseases, caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, are endemic and vary according to different host species, age and sex.

Methodology

  • The research used microscopic diagnosis to detect equine piroplasmoses, diseases caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. These parasitic infections are difficult to detect during their latent phase due to low parasitaemia, the presence of parasites in the blood.
  • To overcome this challenge, the researchers used PCR (polymerase chain reaction) followed by sequencing. PCR is a method used to amplify the number of copies of a specific region of DNA, in this case, the DNA of the parasites.
  • A total of 288 animals were examined during this study.

Findings

  • Out of the 288 animals tested, piroplasmid DNA, which is indicative of infection, was detected in 27.1% of the animals.
  • Through the use of multiplex PCR, a type of PCR that allows for the simultaneous amplification of multiple targets, it was found that Theileria equi (18.8%) was more prevalent than Babesia caballi (7.3%). Notably, mixed infections were absent.
  • The sequences of the PCR amplicons, pieces of DNA that are the result of amplification, were found to be in agreement with those obtained using the multiplex PCR technique.
  • Computed minimal adequate model analyses were used to assess the relationship between both types of infections and host species, age and sex. With regards to Theileria equi infections, there was a significant effect of host species and age, while for Babesia caballi, a correlation with host sex was identified.

Genetic Diversity

  • Phylogenetic analyses were conducted to understand the genetic diversity and evolution of the parasites. These analyses revealed three genotypes of each Theileria equi and Babesia caballi.
  • A new genotype, dubbed genotype C, of Babesia caballi was identified in the study.
  • The dendrogram created from the sequences of Theileria equi suggested potential speciation events, indicating variations within the species.
  • The research concluded that infections with both Theileria equi and Babesia caballi are endemic across all ecological zones of Jordan, and the various genotypes circulate in areas with dense horse populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Qablan MA, Oborník M, Petrželková KJ, Sloboda M, Shudiefat MF, Hořín P, Lukeš J, Modrý D. (2013). Infections by Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in Jordanian equids: epidemiology and genetic diversity. Parasitology, 140(9), 1096-1103. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182013000486

Publication

Parasitology
ISSN: 1469-8161
NlmUniqueID: 0401121
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 140
Issue: 9
Pages: 1096-1103

Researcher Affiliations

Qablan, Moneeb A
  • Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic. moneeb_78@hotmail.com
Oborník, Miroslav
    Petrželková, Klára J
      Sloboda, Michal
        Shudiefat, Mustafa F
          Hořín, Petr
            Lukeš, Julius
              Modrý, David

                MeSH Terms

                • Animals
                • Babesia / classification
                • Babesia / genetics
                • Babesia / isolation & purification
                • Babesiosis / epidemiology
                • Babesiosis / parasitology
                • Base Sequence
                • Cattle
                • DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
                • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
                • Equidae / parasitology
                • Female
                • Genetic Variation
                • Genotype
                • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                • Horse Diseases / parasitology
                • Horses
                • Jordan / epidemiology
                • Male
                • Molecular Sequence Data
                • Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
                • Parasitemia / veterinary
                • Phylogeny
                • Prevalence
                • Sequence Analysis, DNA / veterinary
                • Theileria / classification
                • Theileria / genetics
                • Theileria / isolation & purification
                • Theileriasis / epidemiology
                • Theileriasis / parasitology

                Citations

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