Investigating the presence of equine piroplasmosis in Ireland.

The research performed a retrospective surveillance study to investigate the presence of equine piroplasmosis (EP) in Ireland. The findings revealed the presence of the disease among horses, indicating a potential health risk, and thus emphasizing the need for appropriate biosecurity measures.

Study Rationale and Methods

• The study was primarily conducted to gather more information about the ongoing presence of equine piroplasmosis (EP) in Ireland. Given that the details pertaining to the presence of this disease in the country were scarce and that EP is a significant worry for equine industries both domestically and globally, this study deemed to be important.
• Over a period of three years (from January 2013 to April 2016), the researchers carried out a serological and molecular scrutiny of blood samples of horses that were submitted to the Irish Equine Centre for EP testing.
• The researchers used PCR, a common method for detecting genetic material of a pathogen, for the screening of 18S ribosomal RNA gene in seropositive blood samples. These samples were then analyzed bioinformatically to ascertain the parasite species causing the EP and to evaluate their genetic diversity.

Study Findings

• The results of the study indicate that of the 2099 equine blood samples that were screened, 2.5 per cent and 1 per cent were seropositive for Theileria equi and Babesia caballi respectively. These are two parasites known to cause EP.
• The parasite T. equi’s DNA was detected in 9 per cent of the seropositive blood samples; however, B. caballi’s DNA was not detected in any sample.
• The researchers observed no genetic diversity in T. equi DNA sequences. This finding contrasts with the high genetic diversity found in samples from the UK and from endemic areas.

Conclusion and Recommendations

• As the study successfully detected EP-seropositive and parasitaemic horses in Ireland, it indicates a potential health risk to the rest of the equine population in the region.
• Based on the findings, the authors recommended that horse owners should adopt appropriate biosecurity measures to mitigate the spread of EP.
• Additionally, they also suggest that clinicians should always consider this disease during differential diagnosis.