Molecular detection of Theileria species and Babesia caballi from horses in Nigeria.
Abstract: Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is an infectious, tick-borne disease caused by the hemoprotozoan parasites, Theileria equi, Babesia caballi, and a recently reported new species, T. haneyi. Infections by these apicomplexan parasites limit performance and cause economic losses for the horse industry. Equine piroplasmosis is widespread in the northern regions of Nigeria, where an increasing portion of the animal population is composed of horses. This disease has remained epidemiologically challenging, especially as the movement of horses increases across Nigeria. In this study, blood samples from 300 horses were collected in three states of northwestern Nigeria. The presence of piroplasms was screened by nested PCR targeting 18S rDNA and positive samples were analyzed using species-specific-nested PCR-targeting genes including ema1 (T. equi), rap1 (B. caballi), and a gene coding a protein of unknown function (T. haneyi). Species-specific-nPCR results demonstrated that the prevalence of T. equi was 13.0% (39/300), B. caballi was 3.3% (10/300) and T. haneyi was 2.7% (8/300). Mixed infections with T. equi and B. caballi was 2.7% (8/300) while T. equi, B. caballi, and T. haneyi multiple infection prevalence was 0.6% (2/300). We used 18S rDNA sequences to determine close relationships between T. equi by phylogenetic analysis and demonstrated that among 57 sequences of Theileria parasites, 28 samples belonged to clade A (49%), 13 samples were found to be clade C (22%), and 16 were clade D (28%). These results demonstrate the genetic diversity of T. equi circulating in horses from Nigeria.
Publication Date: 2020-07-10 PubMed ID: 32647992PubMed Central: PMC7431391DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06797-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.
- 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.
This study focuses on analyzing blood samples from horses in Nigeria to detect the presence of equine piroplasmosis (EP), a disease caused by certain parasites that severely impact the performance and economy of the horse industry. The researchers have used specific techniques to identify this disease in horses and understood the prevalence and genetic diversity of the causal parasites.
Research Methodology
- The research was conducted on 300 horses from three states of Northwestern Nigeria. The area has a high number of horses and a noted prevalence of equine piroplasmosis, a disease hampering the local horse industry.
- Blood samples were collected from each horse and subjected to a specific technique named nested PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), targeting the 18S rDNA. This technique allows the researchers to amplify and identify the DNA of Theileria and Babesia species, the causative agents of equine piroplasmosis.
- The positive samples were further analyzed through species-specific-nested-PCR aiming at different genes of these parasites, including ema1 (T. equi), rap1 (B. caballi), and an unknown protein-coding gene (T. haneyi).
Key Findings
- The researchers found a significant presence of these parasites among the tested horse population. T. equi, B. caballi, and T. haneyi had a prevalence rate of 13.0%, 3.3%, and 2.7% respectively.
- Notably, some horses were infected with more than one parasite. Mixed infections with T. equi and B. caballi occurred in 2.7% of the samples. Infestations with all three parasites – T. equi, B. caballi, and T. haneyi – were found in two samples, accounting for 0.6% of the population.
- Further examination was done on the DNA of T. equi. By sequencing the 18S rDNA of this parasite and performing a phylogenetic analysis, the researchers observed genetic diversity among this species, divided into three different clades – A, C, and D.
- Among the 57 sequences of Theileria parasites they isolated, 28 belonged to clade A (49%), 13 samples were placed in clade C (22%), and 16 belonged to clade D (28%).
Conclusions
- This research reveals the prevalence and the genetic diversity of the horse disease causative parasites in Nigeria. T. equi, B. caballi, and T. haneyi are prevalent in the local horse population with varying degrees of mixed infections.
- The genetic diversity findings of T. equi speculate the parasite’s evolution and adaption influencing the severity and course of equine piroplasmosis.
- This study provides a significant understanding of the disease’s local status, promoting more effective strategies for disease control and prevention.
Cite This Article
APA
Mshelia PW, Kappmeyer L, Johnson WC, Kudi CA, Oluyinka OO, Balogun EO, Richard EE, Onoja E, Sears KP, Ueti MW.
(2020).
Molecular detection of Theileria species and Babesia caballi from horses in Nigeria.
Parasitol Res, 119(9), 2955-2963.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-020-06797-y Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Program in Vector-borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-7040, USA.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna, 810107, Nigeria.
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA, 99164-6630, USA.
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA, 99164-6630, USA.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna, 810107, Nigeria.
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria.
- Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna, 810107, Nigeria.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Surgery and Radiology, University of Jos, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna, 810107, Nigeria.
- Program in Vector-borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-7040, USA.
- Program in Vector-borne Diseases, Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-7040, USA. massaro@vetmed.wsu.edu.
- Animal Diseases Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA, 99164-6630, USA. massaro@vetmed.wsu.edu.
- The Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164-70403, USA. massaro@vetmed.wsu.edu.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Babesia / genetics
- Babesia / isolation & purification
- Babesiosis / diagnosis
- Babesiosis / epidemiology
- Babesiosis / parasitology
- Cattle
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horses / parasitology
- Nigeria / epidemiology
- Phylogeny
- Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics
- Theileria / genetics
- Theileria / isolation & purification
- Theileriasis / diagnosis
- Theileriasis / epidemiology
- Theileriasis / parasitology
- Tick-Borne Diseases / epidemiology
Grant Funding
- 2090-32000-039-00D / Agricultural Research Service
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
References
This article includes 42 references
- Baptista C, Lopes MS, Tavares AC, Rojer H, Kappmeyer L, Mendonça D, da Câmara Machado A. Diagnosis of Theileria equi infections in horses in the Azores using cELISA and nested PCR.. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2013 Apr;4(3):242-5.
- Beck R, Vojta L, Mrljak V, Marinculić A, Beck A, Zivicnjak T, Cacciò SM. Diversity of Babesia and Theileria species in symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs in Croatia.. Int J Parasitol 2009 Jun;39(7):843-8.
- Bhoora R, Franssen L, Oosthuizen MC, Guthrie AJ, Zweygarth E, Penzhorn BL, Jongejan F, Collins NE. Sequence heterogeneity in the 18S rRNA gene within Theileria equi and Babesia caballi from horses in South Africa.. Vet Parasitol 2009 Feb 5;159(2):112-20.
- Bhoora RV, Collins NE, Schnittger L, Troskie C, Marumo R, Labuschagne K, Smith RM, Dalton DL, Mbizeni S. Molecular genotyping and epidemiology of equine piroplasmids in South Africa.. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020 Mar;11(2):101358.
- Butler CM, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM, Stout TA, van der Kolk JH, Wollenberg Lv, Nielen M, Jongejan F, Werners AH, Houwers DJ. Prevalence of the causative agents of equine piroplasmosis in the South West of The Netherlands and the identification of two autochthonous clinical Theileria equi infections.. Vet J 2012 Aug;193(2):381-5.
- Coultous RM, McDonald M, Raftery AG, Shiels BR, Sutton DGM, Weir W. Analysis of Theileria equi diversity in The Gambia using a novel genotyping method.. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020 May;67(3):1213-1221.
- Criado-Fornelio A, Martinez-Marcos A, Buling-Saraña A, Barba-Carretero JC. Molecular studies on Babesia, Theileria and Hepatozoon in southern Europe. Part I. Epizootiological aspects.. Vet Parasitol 2003 May 1;113(3-4):189-201.
- de Waal DT. Equine piroplasmosis: a review.. Br Vet J 1992 Jan-Feb;148(1):6-14.
- Felsenstein J. CONFIDENCE LIMITS ON PHYLOGENIES: AN APPROACH USING THE BOOTSTRAP.. Evolution 1985 Jul;39(4):783-791.
- Figueroa JV, Alvarez JA, Ramos JA, Vega CA, Buening GM. Use of multiplex polymerase chain reaction-based assay to conduct epidemiological studies on bovine hemoparasites in Mexico.. Rev Elev Med Vet Pays Trop 1993;46(1-2):71-5.
- Friedhoff KT, Soulé C. An account on equine babesioses.. Rev Sci Tech 1996 Sep;15(3):1191-201.
- Güçlü HZ, Karaer KZ. [Detection of Babesia caballi (Nuttall, 1910) and Theileria equi (Syn. Babesia equi , Laveran, 1901) by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in show and sport horses in the region of Ankara].. Turkiye Parazitol Derg 2007;31(2):89-93.
- Hall CM, Busch JD, Scoles GA, Palma-Cagle KA, Ueti MW, Kappmeyer LS, Wagner DM. Genetic characterization of Theileria equi infecting horses in North America: evidence for a limited source of U.S. introductions.. Parasit Vectors 2013 Feb 11;6:35.
- Hanafusa Y, Cho KO, Kanemaru T, Wada R, Sugimoto C, Onuma M. Pathogenesis of Babesia caballi infection in experimental horses.. J Vet Med Sci 1998 Oct;60(10):1127-32.
- Harvell CD, Mitchell CE, Ward JR, Altizer S, Dobson AP, Ostfeld RS, Samuel MD. Climate warming and disease risks for terrestrial and marine biota.. Science 2002 Jun 21;296(5576):2158-62.
- Heim A, Passos LM, Ribeiro MF, Costa-Júnior LM, Bastos CV, Cabral DD, Hirzmann J, Pfister K. Detection and molecular characterization of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi isolates from endemic areas of Brazil.. Parasitol Res 2007 Dec;102(1):63-8.
- Kimura M. A simple method for estimating evolutionary rates of base substitutions through comparative studies of nucleotide sequences.. J Mol Evol 1980 Dec;16(2):111-20.
- Knowles DP Jr, Kappmeyer LS, Stiller D, Hennager SG, Perryman LE. Antibody to a recombinant merozoite protein epitope identifies horses infected with Babesia equi.. J Clin Microbiol 1992 Dec;30(12):3122-6.
- Knowles DP, Kappmeyer LS, Haney D, Herndon DR, Fry LM, Munro JB, Sears K, Ueti MW, Wise LN, Silva M, Schneider DA, Grause J, White SN, Tretina K, Bishop RP, Odongo DO, Pelzel-McCluskey AM, Scoles GA, Mealey RH, Silva JC. Discovery of a novel species, Theileria haneyi n. sp., infective to equids, highlights exceptional genomic diversity within the genus Theileria: implications for apicomplexan parasite surveillance.. Int J Parasitol 2018 Aug;48(9-10):679-690.
- Kumar S, Stecher G, Li M, Knyaz C, Tamura K. MEGA X: Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis across Computing Platforms.. Mol Biol Evol 2018 Jun 1;35(6):1547-1549.
- Laus F, Veronesi F, Passamonti F, Paggi E, Cerquetella M, Hyatt D, Tesei B, Fioretti DP. Prevalence of tick borne pathogens in horses from Italy.. J Vet Med Sci 2013;75(6):715-20.
- Liu J, Yang J, Guan G, Liu A, Wang B, Luo J, Yin H. Molecular detection and identification of piroplasms in sika deer (Cervus nippon) from Jilin Province, China.. Parasit Vectors 2016 Mar 16;9:156.
- 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.
- Mans BJ, Pienaar R, Latif AA. A review of Theileria diagnostics and epidemiology.. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2015 Apr;4(1):104-18.
- Matjila PT, Leisewitz AL, Oosthuizen MC, Jongejan F, Penzhorn BL. Detection of a Theileria species in dogs in South Africa.. Vet Parasitol 2008 Oct 20;157(1-2):34-40.
- Motloang MY, Thekisoe OM, Alhassan A, Bakheit M, Motheo MP, Masangane FE, Thibedi ML, Inoue N, Igarashi I, Sugimoto C, Mbati PA. Prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in horses belonging to resource-poor farmers in the north-eastern Free State Province, South Africa.. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 2008 Jun;75(2):141-6.
- Munkhjargal T, Sivakumar T, Battsetseg B, Nyamjargal T, Aboulaila M, Purevtseren B, Bayarsaikhan D, Byambaa B, Terkawi MA, Yokoyama N, Igarashi I. Prevalence and genetic diversity of equine piroplasms in Tov province, Mongolia.. Infect Genet Evol 2013 Jun;16:178-85.
- Oguntomole O, Nwaeze U, Eremeeva ME. Tick-, Flea-, and Louse-Borne Diseases of Public Health and Veterinary Significance in Nigeria.. Trop Med Infect Dis 2018 Jan 3;3(1).
- Oladosu LA, Olufemi BE. Haematology of experimental babesiosis and ehrlichiosis in steroid immunosuppressed horses.. Zentralbl Veterinarmed B 1992 Jul;39(5):345-52.
- Onyiche TE, Suganuma K, Igarashi I, Yokoyama N, Xuan X, Thekisoe O. A Review on Equine Piroplasmosis: Epidemiology, Vector Ecology, Risk Factors, Host Immunity, Diagnosis and Control.. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019 May 16;16(10).
- Ozubek S, Aktas M. Genetic diversity and prevalence of piroplasm species in equids from Turkey.. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2018 Aug;59:47-51.
- Salim B, Alanazi AD, Omori R, Alyousif MS, Alanazi IO, Katakura K, Nakao R. Potential role of dogs as sentinels and reservoirs for piroplasms infecting equine and cattle in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia.. Acta Trop 2019 May;193:78-83.
- Schwint ON, Ueti MW, Palmer GH, Kappmeyer LS, Hines MT, Cordes RT, Knowles DP, Scoles GA. Imidocarb dipropionate clears persistent Babesia caballi infection with elimination of transmission potential.. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2009 Oct;53(10):4327-32.
- Scoles GA, Ueti MW. Vector ecology of equine piroplasmosis.. Annu Rev Entomol 2015 Jan 7;60:561-80.
- Sears KP, Kappmeyer LS, Wise LN, Silva M, Ueti MW, White S, Reif KE, Knowles DP. Infection dynamics of Theileria equi and Theileria haneyi, a newly discovered apicomplexan of the horse.. Vet Parasitol 2019 Jul;271:68-75.
- Short MA, Clark CK, Harvey JW, Wenzlow N, Hawkins IK, Allred DR, Knowles DP, Corn JL, Grause JF, Hennager SG, Kitchen DL, Traub-Dargatz JL. Outbreak of equine piroplasmosis in Florida.. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2012 Mar 1;240(5):588-95.
- Sumbria D, Das Singla L, Sharma A. Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infection of equids in Punjab, India: a serological and molecular survey.. Trop Anim Health Prod 2016 Jan;48(1):45-52.
- Timoney PJ. The increasing significance of international trade in equids and its influence on the spread of infectious diseases.. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2000;916:55-60.
- Ueti MW, Palmer GH, Kappmeyer LS, Statdfield M, Scoles GA, Knowles DP. Ability of the vector tick Boophilus microplus to acquire and transmit Babesia equi following feeding on chronically infected horses with low-level parasitemia.. J Clin Microbiol 2005 Aug;43(8):3755-9.
- Ueti MW, Palmer GH, Scoles GA, Kappmeyer LS, Knowles DP. Persistently infected horses are reservoirs for intrastadial tick-borne transmission of the apicomplexan parasite Babesia equi.. Infect Immun 2008 Aug;76(8):3525-9.
- Wise LN, Kappmeyer LS, Mealey RH, Knowles DP. Review of equine piroplasmosis.. J Vet Intern Med 2013 Nov-Dec;27(6):1334-46.
- World Organisation for Animal Health. Equine piroplasmosis. 2019.
Citations
This article has been cited 17 times.- Akinniyi OO, Sackey AKB, Ochube GE, Mshelia PW, Musa FA, Elijah MO, Jolayemi KO. Occurrence of equine metabolic syndrome, clinical manifestations, and associated risk factors in Nigeria. J Equine Sci 2023 Jun;34(2):29-35.
- Sears KP, Knowles DP, Fry LM. Clinical Progression of Theileria haneyi in Splenectomized Horses Reveals Decreased Virulence Compared to Theileria equi. Pathogens 2022 Feb 16;11(2).
- Onyiche TE, Igwenagu E, Malgwi SA, Omeh IJ, Biu AA, Thekisoe O. Hematology and biochemical values in equines naturally infected with Theileria equi in Nigeria. Trop Anim Health Prod 2022 Feb 14;54(2):103.
- Schnittger L, Ganzinelli S, Bhoora R, Omondi D, Nijhof AM, Florin-Christensen M. The Piroplasmida Babesia, Cytauxzoon, and Theileria in farm and companion animals: species compilation, molecular phylogeny, and evolutionary insights. Parasitol Res 2022 May;121(5):1207-1245.
- 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).
- Kamani J, Bártová E, Kašpárková N, Mohammed SJ, Budíková M, Sedlák K. Seroprevalence of Theileria equi, Babesia caballi, and Trichinella spp. infections in horses and donkeys from Nigeria, West Africa. Trop Anim Health Prod 2021 May 24;53(3):338.
- Idoko IS, Edeh RE, Adamu AM, Machunga-Mambula S, Okubanjo OO, Balogun EO, Adamu S, Johnson W, Kappmeyer L, Mousel M, Ueti MW. Molecular and Serological Detection of Piroplasms in Horses from Nigeria. Pathogens 2021 Apr 23;10(5).
- Bastos RG, Sears KP, Dinkel KD, Kappmeyer L, Ueti MW, Knowles DP, Fry LM. Development of an Indirect ELISA to Detect Equine Antibodies to Theileria haneyi. Pathogens 2021 Feb 27;10(3).
- Sears K, Knowles D, Dinkel K, Mshelia PW, Onzere C, Silva M, Fry L. Imidocarb Dipropionate Lacks Efficacy against Theileria haneyi and Fails to Consistently Clear Theileria equi in Horses Co-Infected with T. haneyi. Pathogens 2020 Dec 10;9(12).
- Tirosh-Levy S, Gottlieb Y, Fry LM, Knowles DP, Steinman A. Twenty Years of Equine Piroplasmosis Research: Global Distribution, Molecular Diagnosis, and Phylogeny. Pathogens 2020 Nov 8;9(11).
- Gupta KK, Gupta N, Kumar S, Srivastava M, Kumar P. Equine piroplasmosis: an emerging tick-borne threat to equine health. Trop Anim Health Prod 2026 Jan 5;58(1):29.
- Sadeddine R, Righi S, Saidani K, Benakhla A. First Molecular Characterization of Theileria equi from Northeastern Algeria. Acta Parasitol 2025 Mar 6;70(2):66.
- Facile V, Magliocca M, Dini FM, Imposimato I, Mariella J, Freccero F, Urbani L, Rinnovati R, Sel E, Gallina L, Castagnetti C, Galuppi R, Battilani M, Balboni A. Molecular Diagnosis and Identification of Equine Piroplasms: Challenges and Insights from a Study in Northern Italy. Animals (Basel) 2025 Feb 5;15(3).
- Mendoza FJ, Pérez-Écija A, Kappmeyer LS, Suarez CE, Bastos RG. New insights in the diagnosis and treatment of equine piroplasmosis: pitfalls, idiosyncrasies, and myths. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1459989.
- Zhang B, Zhang N, Gao C, Liu M, Jie R, Lu M, Ma Y, Meng F, Huang J, Wang X, Li K. Investigation of Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. in ticks from Western China and identification of a novel genotype of Babesia caballi. BMC Vet Res 2024 Jul 8;20(1):302.
- Zhou B, Yang G, Hu Z, Chen K, Guo W, Wang X, Du C. Development of a Real-Time Quantitative PCR Based on a TaqMan-MGB Probe for the Rapid Detection of Theileria haneyi. Microorganisms 2023 Oct 26;11(11).
- Diarra AZ, Kelly P, Davoust B, Parola P. Tick-Borne Diseases of Humans and Animals in West Africa. Pathogens 2023 Oct 24;12(11).
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists