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Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)2021; 10(5); 508; doi: 10.3390/pathogens10050508

Molecular and Serological Detection of Piroplasms in Horses from Nigeria.

Abstract: Equine piroplasmosis, an economically important disease of equids caused by the hemoprotozoan parasites , , and , has a worldwide distribution. These parasites are transmitted by ixodid ticks. To improve the detection of horses in Nigeria exposed to piroplasm parasites, 72 horses with variable clinical signs of piroplasmosis were sampled from Northwest and Northcentral Nigeria and tested by nPCR and cELISA. Blood and serum samples were collected from each horse via jugular venesection. Individually, nPCR or cELISA failed to identify all horses exposed to piroplasms. A combination of species-specific nPCR and the OIE-approved and cELISAs enhanced the detection of horses exposed to parasites. The results also demonstrated horses showing abnormal hematology were positive for only except for one sample that was coinfected with and . We also identified ticks collected from some of the horses, with being the most prevalent. This study shows that a larger proportion of horses in the sample set were exposed to than or . Additionally, ticks that have been previously reported as potential vectors for these parasites were found to have infested sampled horses. Further studies are needed to investigate which tick species are competent vectors for spp. and in Nigeria.
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Publication Date: 2021-04-23 PubMed ID: 33922468PubMed Central: PMC8146079DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10050508Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

The study focuses on the detection of piroplasms, a type of parasite, in Nigerian horses. The research indicates that a combination of different testing methods can better identify horses exposed to piroplasm parasites compared to single testing strategies.

Research Overview

  • The study aimed to improve the detection and understanding of equine piroplasmosis, a disease in horses caused by hemoprotozoan parasites, namely , , and , in Nigeria.
  • The disease has a significant economic impact and is distributed globally, as such, understanding its prevalence and nature is important.
  • The parasites are transmitted by ixodid ticks, which were also part of the study.

Methodology

  • 72 horses exhibiting variable symptoms of piroplasmosis were sampled from Northwest and Northcentral Nigeria.
  • Two tests, nPCR (a type of Polymerase Chain Reaction test) and an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay test known as cELISA, were used to detect the presence of the parasites.
  • Blood and serum samples were obtained from each horse.

Findings

  • Individual testing methods (nPCR or cELISA) were not enough to identify all horses exposed to piroplasms. A greater level of detection was achieved when both tests were combined.
  • The tests indicated that horses with abnormal hematology primarily had one type of parasite, in their system, with only one sample showing coinfection with another parasite, .
  • The study also collected and identified ticks attached to the horses. A particular species, , was most prevalent.
  • A larger number of horses in the sample set were found to have been exposed to than or . This suggests that is more prevalent in these regions of Nigeria.
  • Tick species previously reported as potential vectors for these parasites were found infesting the sampled horses. This implies that these tick species could potentially be spreading these parasites in the horse populations of Nigeria.

Future Directions

  • The research suggests that further studies are needed to discern which specific tick species are competent vectors for the particular parasites in Nigeria.
  • Such studies will aid in the development of strategized parasite control and prevention in horse populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Idoko IS, Edeh RE, Adamu AM, Machunga-Mambula S, Okubanjo OO, Balogun EO, Adamu S, Johnson W, Kappmeyer L, Mousel M, Ueti MW. (2021). Molecular and Serological Detection of Piroplasms in Horses from Nigeria. Pathogens, 10(5), 508. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10050508

Publication

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 2076-0817
NlmUniqueID: 101596317
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 5
PII: 508

Researcher Affiliations

Idoko, Idoko S
  • Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Gwagwalada 902101, Nigeria.
Edeh, Richard E
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Jos, Jos 930222, Nigeria.
Adamu, Andrew M
  • Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Gwagwalada 902101, Nigeria.
Machunga-Mambula, Salamatu
  • Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Abuja, Gwagwalada 902101, Nigeria.
Okubanjo, Oluyinka O
  • Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 810107, Nigeria.
Balogun, Emmanuel O
  • Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 810107, Nigeria.
Adamu, Sani
  • Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 810107, Nigeria.
Johnson, Wendell
  • Animal Disease Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA 99164-6630, USA.
Kappmeyer, Lowell
  • Animal Disease Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA 99164-6630, USA.
Mousel, Michelle
  • Animal Disease Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA 99164-6630, USA.
Ueti, Massaro W
  • Animal Disease Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA 99164-6630, USA.
  • Department of Veterinary Microbiology & Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-7040, USA.

Grant Funding

  • the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service project # 2090-32000-039-00D / U.S. Department of Agriculture

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Giubega S, Ilie MS, Luca I, Florea T, Dreghiciu C, Oprescu I, Morariu S, Dărăbuș G. Seroprevalence of Anti-Theileria equi Antibodies in Horses from Three Geographically Distinct Areas of Romania.. Pathogens 2022 Jun 9;11(6).
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens11060669pubmed: 35745523google scholar: lookup
  2. Nadal C, Marsot M, Le Metayer G, Boireau P, Guillot J, Bonnet SI. Spatial and Temporal Circulation of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in France Based on Seven Years of Serological Data.. Pathogens 2022 Feb 9;11(2).
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens11020227pubmed: 35215171google scholar: lookup
  3. Elsawy BSM, Nassar AM, Alzan HF, Bhoora RV, Ozubek S, Mahmoud MS, Kandil OM, Mahdy OA. Rapid Detection of Equine Piroplasms Using Multiplex PCR and First Genetic Characterization of Theileria haneyi in Egypt.. Pathogens 2021 Oct 31;10(11).
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens10111414pubmed: 34832570google scholar: lookup
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