Low seroprevalence of equine piroplasmosis in horses exported from the Netherlands between 2015 and 2021.
Abstract: Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease affecting horses, donkeys, mules and zebras, caused by the intracellular apicomplexan protozoa and . The geographical distribution of EP is closely related to the distribution of its vector tick species belonging to the genera of and . Since the discovery of ticks in 2007 and the first reported autochthonous cases in the South of the Netherlands in 2012, no data on the (sero)prevalence of EP in horses in the Netherlands have been reported and it remains unclear whether and have been able to establish themselves in the Netherlands. This study aims to give an update on the current status of EP in horses in the Netherlands using data from serological tests performed in the context of export and screening of 12,881 horses from 2015 through 2020. Horses were categorized as "Dutch," "Foreign," or "Unknown" based on microchip number. The overall seroprevalence of EP in Dutch horses was found to be 0.5% (95% exact CI [0.4-0.7]), compared to 1.9% (95% exact CI [1.3-2.6]) in horses in the category "Foreign" and 1.7% (95% exact CI [1.2-2.3]) in horses in the category "Unknown." In addition, the seroprevalence per country in the category "Foreign" ranged from 0% (0.95% exact CI [0-2.8]) for Ireland to 6.0% (0.95% exact CI [3.5-9.3]) for Spain. In light of the reports on the seroprevalence during the outbreak of autochthonous EP reported in 2012 and on seroprevalences of EP in other countries in Northwestern Europe, the seroprevalence of EP in horses exported from the Netherlands is very low. However, the higher seroprevalence of EP in horses from abroad warrants the need for the monitoring of EP, as tick vectors are present in the Netherlands and the import of horses from endemic areas increases the chances of EP becoming more prevalent in the Netherlands.
Copyright © 2022 Graham, van Kalsbeek, van der Goot and Koene.
Publication Date: 2022-10-10 PubMed ID: 36299627PubMed Central: PMC9588945DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.954046Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research study investigates the current prevalence of equine piroplasmosis, a tick-borne disease, in horses in the Netherlands. Using data from blood tests taken from over 12,000 horses between 2015 and 2020, the researchers observed a low rate of the disease in Dutch horses, highlighting a need for ongoing monitoring, particularly considering the presence of disease-carrying tick species in the country and the potential for disease spread from imported horses.
Research Background
- Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a disease seen in horses, donkeys, mules, and zebras, caused by two types of protozoa.
- These organisms spread through tick species within certain geographical locations.
- The Netherlands reported EP cases in 2012 but no prevalence data have been shared since then.
- The purpose of this study was to assess the current status of EP in Dutch horses, with relevance to the export and screening of these animals.
Methods
- Data was gathered from blood tests performed on 12,881 horses from 2015 to 2020.
- Horses were classified as “Dutch,” “Foreign,” or “Unknown” based on their microchipped number.
Findings
- The overall rate of EP in Dutch horses was discovered to be 0.5%.
- Comparatively, the rate in “Foreign” horses was 4 times higher (1.9%), while “Unknown” horses had a rate of 1.7%.
- Country-specific prevalence in the “Foreign” category ranged from 0% for Ireland to 6.0% for Spain.
Implications
- Compared to previous reports and observations from other European countries, the prevalence of EP in Dutch horses is quite low.
- However, the higher incidence in non-domestic horses indicates a need for continuous monitoring.
- Since Netherlands has the tick species that can potentially spread the disease, imported horses from regions where the disease is endemic could increase the prevalence of EP in the country.
Cite This Article
APA
Graham H, van Kalsbeek P, van der Goot J, Koene MGJ.
(2022).
Low seroprevalence of equine piroplasmosis in horses exported from the Netherlands between 2015 and 2021.
Front Vet Sci, 9, 954046.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.954046 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Diagnostics and Crisis Organization, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands.
- Department of Diagnostics and Crisis Organization, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands.
- Department of Diagnostics and Crisis Organization, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands.
- Department of Bacteriology, Host Pathogen Interaction and Diagnostics, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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