Isolation of pure Babesia equi and Babesia caballi organisms in splenectomized horses from endemic areas in South Africa.
Abstract: Both Babesia equi and Babesia caballi are endemic in large parts of South Africa. Attempts were made to obtain pure local isolates of both B. equi and B. caballi for the purpose of developing serological tests to study the epidemiology of equine babesiosis in this country. The indirect fluorescent antibody test was used to screen horses for B. equi and B. caballi in an endemic area. Seven horses and 3 donkeys between 3 and 36 months of age that tested negative were subsequently splenectomized. The splenectomy operation was performed through the abdominal approach. A 100% survival rate was achieved through this method, probably because it reduced the risk involved in the operation. Blood collected from naturally infected horses and passaged in fully susceptible splenectomized horses and a donkey, under laboratory conditions, produced 2 isolates of Babesia caballi and 1 of B. equi. Microscopical and serological examinations confirmed that these were pure isolates.
Publication Date: 1988-03-01 PubMed ID: 3353098
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article focuses on the isolation of two specific parasites, Babesia equi and Babesia caballi, from horses in South Africa, and the importance of these isolates in understanding the spread of horse diseases.
The Objective of The Research
- The main objective of this study was to isolate the parasites Babesia equi and Babesia caballi, with the ultimate purpose of developing serological tests to study the epidemiology of equine babesiosis – a parasitic disease affecting horses – in South Africa, an area known to be endemic for these parasites.
Methodology of The Research
- The researchers initially screened horses in an endemic area for the presence of the parasites using the indirect fluorescent antibody test. This test involves the use of fluorescently labelled antibodies that bind to the target parasites if present in the blood samples collected from the horses.
- Then, the researchers performed splenectomies on horses and donkeys that tested negative for these parasites. Splenectomy is the surgical removal of the spleen, believed to contribute in lowering the parasites survival rate inside the hosts’ bodies.
- The researchers were able to achieve a 100% survival rate for the distinct animals that underwent splenectomy, attributing this high survival rate to the abdominal approach they used in performing the operation.
- The isolated parasites were then propagated in the splenectomized horses and donkey under lab conditions, to create new, pure isolates of two forms of parasites.
Findings of The Research
- The research team successfully obtained two isolates of Babesia caballi and one of B. equi.
- They further validated these isolates through microscopical and serological examinations, confirming that these were indeed pure isolates.
- This study, thus, produced pure local isolates of the parasites that can be used for further research into equine babesiosis.
Significance of The Research
- This study can have significant impact in understanding the epidemiology of equine babesiosis, particularly in endemic regions like South Africa.
- By studying these pure isolates, researchers can develop better diagnostic techniques and potentially effective treatments for horses affected by these parasites.
Cite This Article
APA
De Waal DT, Van Heerden J, Van den Berg SS, Stegmann GF, Potgieter FT.
(1988).
Isolation of pure Babesia equi and Babesia caballi organisms in splenectomized horses from endemic areas in South Africa.
Onderstepoort J Vet Res, 55(1), 33-35.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Section of Protozoology, Veterinary Research Institute, Onderstepoort.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Babesia / isolation & purification
- Babesiosis / immunology
- Babesiosis / parasitology
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horses
- Perissodactyla
- Splenectomy / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Sears K, Knowles D, Dinkel K, Mshelia PW, Onzere C, Silva M, Fry L. Imidocarb Dipropionate Lacks Efficacy against Theileria haneyi and Fails to Consistently Clear Theileria equi in Horses Co-Infected with T. haneyi. Pathogens 2020 Dec 10;9(12).
- Zweygarth E, Just MC, de Waal DT. Continuous in vitro cultivation of erythrocytic stages of Babesia equi. Parasitol Res 1995;81(4):355-8.
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