FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
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).
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2025-04-21 PubMed ID: 40257584PubMed Central: PMC12011657DOI: 10.1007/s00436-025-08488-yGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

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.

References

This article includes 28 references
  1. Biu AA, Ahmed MI, Yunus AI. Prevalence of equine babesiosis in Maiduguri Nigeria. Int J Biomed Health Sci 2:2.
  2. Böse R, Jorgensen WK, Dalgliesh RJ, Friedhoff KT, De Vos AJ. Current state and future trends in the diagnosis of babesiosis. Vet Parasitol 57:61–74.
    doi: 10.1016/0304-4017(94)03111-9pubmed: 7597794google scholar: lookup
  3. Criado-Fornelio A, Martinez-Marcos A, Buling-Sarana A, Barba-Carretero JC. Molecular studies on Babesia, Theileria and Hepatozoon in southern Europe: part I. Epizootiological Aspects. Vet Parasitol 113:189–201.
    doi: 10.1016/S0304-4017(03)00078-5pubmed: 12719133google scholar: lookup
  4. de Waal DT. Equine piroplasmosis: a review. Br Vet J 148:6–14.
    doi: 10.1016/0007-1935(92)90061-5pubmed: 1551016google scholar: lookup
  5. Ereqat S, Nasereddin A, Amer Al-Jawabreh A, Al-Jawabreh H, Al-Laham N, Abdeen Z. Prevalence of in livestock in Palestine. Parasit Vector 13:21.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-020-3894-9pmc: PMC6958583pubmed: 31931864google scholar: lookup
  6. Farouk UM, Musa GA, Ibrahim S, Sabah MS. Prevalence of haemoparasites of polo horses and their effect on some haematological parameters in Zaria Nigeria. FJS 4: 252–255.
    doi: 10.33003/fjs-2020-0403-272google scholar: lookup
  7. Friedhoff KT, Tenter AM, Muller I. Haemoparasites of equines: impact on international trade of horses. Rev Sci Tech 9:1187–1194.
    doi: 10.20506/rst.9.4.535pubmed: 2132711google scholar: lookup
  8. Hornok S, Genchi C, Bazzocchi C, Fok E, Farkas R. Prevalence of microfilaraemia in horses in Hungary. Vet Rec 161:814–816.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.161.24.814pubmed: 18083980google scholar: lookup
  9. Kaneko JJ, Harvey JW, Bruss ML. Appendix VIII: Blood analysis reference values in large animals. Clinical Biochemistry of Domestic Animals, 5th edn Academic Press, Philadelphia, pp 890–894.
  10. Lia RP, Mutafchiev Y, Veneziano V, Giannelli A, Abramo F, Santoro M, Latrofa MS, Cantacessi C, Martin C, Otranto D, Bertuglia A, Riccio B. Filarial infection caused by (Supperer, 1953) in a horse from Italy. Parasitol Res 116:191–198.
    doi: 10.1007/s00436-016-5277-xpubmed: 27761717google scholar: lookup
  11. Moretti A, Mangili A, Salvatori R, Maresca C, Scoccia E, Torina A, Moretta I, Gabrielli S, Tampieri MP, Pietrobelli M. Prevalence and diagnosis of and infections horses in Italy: A preliminary study. Vet J 184:346–350.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.03.021pubmed: 19394253google scholar: lookup
  12. Nimako-Boateng MB, Boakye OD, Bediako OS, Asare DA, Emikpe BO. Prevalence of haemoparasites and effects on blood parameters of horses in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Niger J Parasitol 43:2.
  13. Nwadiuto EC, Amawulu E, Chizurum FG. Haemoparasites status of domestic horse () at two Polo Fields in South Southern Nigeria. Res J Parasitol 15:47–51.
    doi: 10.3923/jp.2020.47.51google scholar: lookup
  14. Onmaz AC, Beutel RG, Schneeberg K, Pavaloiu AN, Komarek A, Hoven VDR. Vectors and vector-borne diseases of horses. Vet Res Commun 37:65–81.
    doi: 10.1007/s11259-012-9537-7pubmed: 23054414google scholar: lookup
  15. Osman SA. Clinical, haematological, and therapeutic studies on babesiosis in Arabian horses in the Qassim region, central of Saudi Arabia. J Appl Anim Res 45:118–121.
    doi: 10.1080/09712119.2015.1124339google scholar: lookup
  16. Pritchard JC, Lindberg AC, Main DC, Whay HR. Assessment of the welfare of working horses, mules and donkeys, using health and behaviour parameters.. Prev Vet Med 69:265–283.
    doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2005.02.002pubmed: 15907574google scholar: lookup
  17. R Core Team. R version 4.0. R: A language and environment for statistical computing 2:2020–6–29.
  18. Radley DE. Infection and treatment method of immunization against theileriosis.. Advances in the control of theileriosis Current Topics in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, vol 14.
    doi: 10.1007/978-94-009-8346-5_41google scholar: lookup
  19. Rothschild CM. Equine Piroplasmosis.. J Equine Vet Sci 33:497–508.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2013.03.189google scholar: lookup
  20. Ruegg SR, Torgerson P, Deplazes P, Mathis A. Age-dependent dynamics of and infections in southwest Mongolia based on IFAT and/or PCR prevalence data from domestic horses and ticks.. Parasitol 134:939–947.
    doi: 10.1017/S0031182007002405pubmed: 17306055google scholar: lookup
  21. Saeed MA, Beveridge I, Abbas G, Beasley A, Bauquier J, Wilkes E, Jacobson C, Hughes KJ, El-Hage C, O’Handley R, Hurley J, Cudmore L, Carrigan P, Walter L, Tennent-Brown B, Nielsen MK, Jabbar A. Systematic review of gastrointestinal nematodes of horses from Australia.. Parasit Vector 12:2–16.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-019-3445-4pmc: PMC6489199pubmed: 31036059google scholar: lookup
  22. Salim BOM, Hassan SM, Bakheit MA, Alhassan A, Igarashi I, Karanis P. Diagnosis of and infections in horses in Sudan using ELISA and PCR.. Parasitol Res 103:1145–1150.
    doi: 10.1007/s00436-008-1108-zpubmed: 18618143google scholar: lookup
  23. Sazmand A, Bahari A, Papi S, Otranto D. Parasitic diseases of equids in Iran (1931–2020).. Parasit Vector 13:2–19.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-020-04472-wpmc: PMC7676409pubmed: 33213507google scholar: lookup
  24. Seo MG, Yun SH, Choi SK, Cho GJ, Park YS, Cho KH, Kwona OD, Kwak D. Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of equine piroplasms in the Republic of Korea.. Res Vet Sci 94:579–583.
    doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2013.01.014pubmed: 23415067google scholar: lookup
  25. Smith BP. Normal values for leukogram data, hemostatic data and erythron data in horse.. Large Animal Internal Medicine 4 ed. Elsevier Health Sciences. pp. 401–406.
  26. Tamura K, Stecher G, Kumar S. MEGA11: molecular evolutionary genetics analysis version 11.. Mol Biol Evol 38:3022–3027.
    doi: 10.1093/molbev/msab120pmc: PMC8233496pubmed: 33892491google scholar: lookup
  27. Wickham H. ggplot2: elegant graphics for data analysis.. Springer-Verlag, New York.
  28. Zajac AM, Conboy GA. Detection of parasites in the blood.. Veterinary Clinical Parasitology 8 ed. Willey Blackwell Science Ltd Oxford. pp. 185–187.

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.
    doi: 10.1007/s00436-026-08630-4pubmed: 41644779google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,928 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.