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Molecular detection of Babesia equi in infected and carrier horses by polymerase chain reaction.
Abstract: Twenty-three blood samples were used in this study; five were from five naturally infected horses with Babesia equi (B. equi), while eighteen were from asymptomatic horses with equine babesiasis from different localities in Egypt. All samples were subjected to microscopic examination, indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The carrier animals were microscopically detected in 7 out of 18 samples (38.8%) and in 9 of 18 by using IFA (50%), whereas PCR revealed that 14 samples were positive (78%). Two synthetic oligonucleotide primers, based on the B. equi merozoite antigen gene (EMA-1) were used. A 819 bps DNA fragment is specifically amplified from the gene encoding EMA-1 of B. equi. Our results demonstrate that PCR is a valuable technique for routine detection of B. equi in chronically infected horses, even at low parasitaemia levels.
Publication Date: 2005-02-22 PubMed ID: 15719614 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.
- 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 research focuses on a detection of a parasite Babesia equi in infected and carrier horses. The method used includes a broad range of techniques with special attention given to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Research Objective and Process
- The goal of the research was to test the effectiveness of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in identifying carriers of equine babesiasis, also known as Babesia equi, in both symptomatic and asymptomatic horses.
- Twenty-three blood samples were taken for this study. Five were from infected horses that exhibited symptoms, and eighteen were from horses that carried the disease but did not show evident symptoms. The latter are usually referred to as ‘carrier’ horses.
- All samples were analyzed using three different methods: microscopic examination, an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFA), and PCR.
Results and Findings
- Microscopic examination was able to detect carrier animals in 38.8% of the tested samples. IFA found 50% positive results, while PCR was able to ward in 78% of the cases.
- Two synthetic oligonucleotide primers, which are essentially short strands of DNA that help to initiate the DNA replication process during PCR, were used in this study. These were based on the B. equi merozoite antigen gene.
- The PCR component of the research involved the amplification of an 819 base pair DNA fragment from this gene. This specific part of the gene is essential for the replication of B. equi.
Conclusion
- The findings of this study highlight the efficacy of PCR as a consistent detection method for B. equi in chronic carrier horses, even if the levels of parasites are low.
- The researchers concluded that PCR is a useful tool for routine detection, in particular for carrier horses, to prevent the spread.
Cite This Article
APA
Farah AW, Hegazy NA, Romany MM, Soliman YA, Daoud AM.
(2005).
Molecular detection of Babesia equi in infected and carrier horses by polymerase chain reaction.
Egypt J Immunol, 10(2), 73-79.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Serum and Vaccine Research Institute, Abbasia, Cairo, Egypt.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Babesia / genetics
- Babesia / isolation & purification
- Babesiosis / diagnosis
- Babesiosis / parasitology
- Babesiosis / veterinary
- Base Sequence
- Carrier State / diagnosis
- Carrier State / parasitology
- Carrier State / veterinary
- Chronic Disease
- DNA, Protozoan / genetics
- DNA, Protozoan / isolation & purification
- Egypt
- Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
- Genes, Protozoan
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horses
- Parasitemia / parasitology
- Parasitemia / veterinary
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Abdelbaset AE, Nonaka N, Nakao R. Tick-borne diseases in Egypt: A one health perspective. One Health 2022 Dec;15:100443.
- Mahmoud MS, Kandil OM, Abu El-Ezz NT, Hendawy SHM, Elsawy BSM, Knowles DP, Bastos RG, Kappmeyer LS, Laughery JM, Alzan HF, Suarez CE. Identification and antigenicity of the Babesia caballi spherical body protein 4 (SBP4). Parasit Vectors 2020 Jul 22;13(1):369.
- Mahmoud MS, El-Ezz NT, Abdel-Shafy S, Nassar SA, El Namaky AH, Khalil WK, Knowles D, Kappmeyer L, Silva MG, Suarez CE. Assessment of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in equine populations in Egypt by molecular, serological and hematological approaches. Parasit Vectors 2016 May 4;9:260.
- Soliman AM, Elhawary NM, Helmy NM, El-Seify MA, Amer MM, Mohamed S, Memon FU, Rashid MHO, Gadelhaq SM. Molecular detection and genotyping of Theileria equi infection within the equine population in Giza, Egypt, using real-time PCR as compared with conventional detection methods. Iran J Vet Res 2025;26(2):145-151.
- Elsawy BSM, Mahmoud MS, Suarez CE, Alzan HF. Impact of Equine and Camel Piroplasmosis in Egypt: How Much Do We Know about the Current Situation?. Pathogens 2023 Nov 5;12(11).
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