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Home / Equine Research Bank / Parasitol Res / Microscopic examination of haemoparasites and the first mole...
Parasitology research2025; 124(4); 42; doi: 10.1007/s00436-025-08488-y

Microscopic examination of haemoparasites and the first molecular detection of Theileria equi in horses in Myanmar.

Abstract: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of blood parasites in horses and identify risk factors and molecular detection of piroplasm species (Theileria equi and Babesia caballi) of horses in Myanmar. Blood samples (n = 302) were collected from five regions of Myanmar. Blood smears were screened for presence of piroplasms. Samples positive for piroplasms were subjected to molecular identification using primers specific to the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) of piroplasms. The overall prevalence of blood parasites (piroplasms, Trypanosoma spp., and microfilaria of Setaria equina) was 30.8% (93/302). The prevalence of piroplasms, Trypanosoma spp., and microfilaria of S. equina, were 22.5% (68/302), 8.3% (25/302), and 2.3% (7/302), respectively. Samples from Yangon (35.0%) and Mandalay (35.0%) showed the highest prevalence, followed by Northern Shan State, Ayeyarwady, and Nay Pyi Taw (33.9%, 25.0% and 24.6%, respectively). The hypothesized factors (age, sex, and breed) showed no significant association (p > 0.05) with the overall occurrence of blood parasites. Although no significant association (p > 0.05) was found between blood parameters (WBCs, RBCs, Hb, and HCT) and the presence of blood parasites, the negative group had a larger WBC count than the positive group. Molecular characterization of piroplasm of two obtained sequences confirmed Theileria equi. This is the first report on microscopic and molecular detection of T. equi in horses in Myanmar, and the findings provide baseline information for blood parasites in horses.
© 2025. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2025-04-21 PubMed ID: 40257584PubMed Central: PMC12011657DOI: 10.1007/s00436-025-08488-yGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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Overview

  • This study investigated the presence of blood parasites in horses across multiple regions in Myanmar, focusing on detecting Theileria equi and Babesia caballi using microscopy and molecular techniques.
  • The research provides the first molecular confirmation of Theileria equi in horses in Myanmar and offers data on the prevalence and distribution of several haemoparasites affecting these animals.

Research Objectives

  • Determine the prevalence of blood parasites (piroplasms, Trypanosoma spp., and microfilaria of Setaria equina) in horses in Myanmar.
  • Identify potential risk factors associated with parasite infection such as age, sex, and breed.
  • Perform molecular detection and characterization of piroplasm species, specifically Theileria equi and Babesia caballi.

Methodology

  • Sample Collection: 302 blood samples were collected from horses in five different regions of Myanmar: Yangon, Mandalay, Northern Shan State, Ayeyarwady, and Nay Pyi Taw.
  • Microscopic Examination: Blood smears were screened under a microscope to detect the presence of various blood parasites including piroplasms, Trypanosoma spp., and microfilaria of Setaria equina.
  • Molecular Analysis: Samples positive for piroplasms were further analyzed using molecular techniques targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene specific to piroplasms.
  • Data Analysis: The study investigated the relationships between parasite presence and factors such as age, sex, breed, and blood parameters (white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit).

Key Findings

  • Overall prevalence of blood parasites was 30.8% (93 out of 302 horses).
  • Prevalence rates for specific parasites were:
    • Piroplasms: 22.5% (68/302)
    • Trypanosoma spp.: 8.3% (25/302)
    • Microfilaria of Setaria equina: 2.3% (7/302)
  • Regional prevalence varied, with Yangon and Mandalay showing the highest rates at 35.0% each, followed by Northern Shan State (33.9%), Ayeyarwady (25.0%), and Nay Pyi Taw (24.6%).
  • No statistically significant association was found between the presence of blood parasites and the horses’ age, sex, or breed.
  • Blood parameters (WBC, RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit) did not show a significant difference between parasite-positive and parasite-negative groups, although horses without parasites tended to have higher WBC counts.
  • Molecular characterization of two sequences obtained from positive samples confirmed the presence of Theileria equi, marking the first molecular detection of this parasite in horses in Myanmar.

Significance and Implications

  • This study provides baseline epidemiological data on blood parasites in horses in Myanmar, which is essential for understanding disease burden and guiding control measures.
  • The confirmed molecular detection of Theileria equi is critical for accurate diagnosis, veterinary care, and potentially controlling equine piroplasmosis in the region.
  • Absence of association with demographic factors suggests that all horses, regardless of age, sex, or breed, may be equally at risk, indicating that preventive strategies should be broadly applied.
  • The lack of significant changes in blood parameters suggests that infected horses might not always show remarkable clinical signs, underscoring the importance of molecular and microscopic screening for diagnosis.

Cite This Article

APA
Khaing Y, Htun LL, Linn KS, Kyaw WO, Nwae TT, Chel HM, Win SY, Murata S, Nakao R, Nonaka N, Bawm S. (2025). Microscopic examination of haemoparasites and the first molecular detection of Theileria equi in horses in Myanmar. Parasitol Res, 124(4), 42. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-025-08488-y

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 124
Issue: 4
Pages: 42
PII: 42

Researcher Affiliations

Khaing, Yadanar
  • Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, 15013, Myanmar.
Htun, Lat Lat
  • Pro-Rector (Administration) Office, University of Veterinary Science, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, 15013, Myanmar.
Linn, Kyaw San
  • Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, 15013, Myanmar.
Kyaw, Win Ohnmar
  • Department of Wildlife and Aquatic Diseases, University of Veterinary Science, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, 15013, Myanmar.
Nwae, Theint Theint
  • Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, 15013, Myanmar.
Chel, Hla Myet
  • Department of Pharmacology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary Science, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, 15013, Myanmar.
Win, Shwe Yee
  • Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060 - 0818, Japan.
Murata, Shiro
  • Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060 - 0818, Japan.
Nakao, Ryo
  • Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060 - 0818, Japan.
  • Division of Parasitology, Veterinary Research Unit, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
  • One Health Research Center, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060 - 0818, Japan.
Nonaka, Nariaki
  • Laboratory of Parasitology, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060 - 0818, Japan.
  • Division of Parasitology, Veterinary Research Unit, International Institute for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
  • One Health Research Center, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060 - 0818, Japan.
Bawm, Saw
  • Department of Livestock and Aquaculture Research, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, 15013, Myanmar. sawvet@uvs.edu.mm.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Myanmar / epidemiology
  • Theileria / isolation & purification
  • Theileria / genetics
  • Theileria / classification
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Theileriasis / epidemiology
  • Theileriasis / parasitology
  • Prevalence
  • Babesia / isolation & purification
  • Babesia / genetics
  • Babesiosis / epidemiology
  • Babesiosis / parasitology
  • Blood / parasitology
  • Microscopy
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
  • Male
  • Female
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declarations. Ethics approval: Collection of samples from horses was approved by the by the Ethical Review Committee, University of Veterinary Science, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Myanmar (approval no. RERC/Recom/2023 (5)). Consent to participate: Informed consent was obtained from all owners. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Dao TTH, Szűts T, Duong NN, Troung DTQ, Solymosi N, Takács N, Hornok S, Farkas R. The first molecular detection of equine piroplasmosis in Vietnam and genetic characterization of three co-circulating genotypes of Theileria equi.. Parasitol Res 2026 Feb 5;125(1):14.
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