Molecular Diagnosis and Identification of Equine Piroplasms: Challenges and Insights from a Study in Northern Italy.
Abstract: Equine piroplasmosis is a tick-borne disease caused by and species. Despite its presence in Europe, no laboratory testing is required for animal movement, even though some countries remain free of this disease. Differentiating between species and genotypes is crucial to determine the most effective treatment, as dosage, active compounds, and duration vary. However, diagnosis is often challenging due to genetic variability and the limited sensitivity of molecular methods. The aims of this study were to compare the performances of different molecular diagnostic tests to identify the most effective assay for piroplasm DNA detection and to genetically characterize the piroplasms identified in horses in Northern Italy from 2016 to 2022. Among 63 horses tested, 24 (38.1%) were positive in at least one of the tests used. Four horses tested positive for with identical nucleotide sequences, while 22 horses tested positive for genetically different species, including , -like species, and sp. . Two horses were coinfected by and -like species. The best diagnostic approach to avoid false negative results was a combination of different assays. Further studies will be necessary to better assess the prevalence and genetic diversity of piroplasms involved in equine piroplasmosis.
Publication Date: 2025-02-05 PubMed ID: 39943207DOI: 10.3390/ani15030437Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study examines the difficulties in diagnosing equine piroplasmosis, a disease caused by two tickborne species and prevalent in Europe. The authors tested a variety of diagnostic methods and found genetic diversity in the responsible pathogens in infected horses in Northern Italy, recommending a combined approach for effective diagnosis.
Objective and Importance of Study
- The paper addresses two interconnected aspects of equine piroplasmosis: the challenge in accurately diagnosing the disease due to genetic variability of piroplasms and the limitations in current molecular diagnostic methods.
- The study carries importance since distinguishing between the species and genotypes of equine piroplasmosis is essential in deciding the correct treatment course, given that medication dosages, active ingredients, and duration of treatment differ for distinct species.
Methods and Findings
- The researchers compared the efficacy of multiple molecular diagnostic tests in detecting piroplasm DNA to pinpoint the most effective test.
- A total of 63 horses were assessed, out of which 24 (38.1%) were diagnosed positive for piroplasmosis through at least one of the performed tests.
- The species of piroplasms found in the infected horses varied, with four horses having one type of piroplasm and the remaining 22 having disparate piroplasm species. The former had identical nucleotide sequences, illustrating less genetic divergence among their pathogens.
- Among the 22 horses, two had been infected by two different piroplasm species, suggesting the potential complication of coinfection in combating the disease.
Summary and Recommendations
- The study indicates that a combinatorial approach of diverse diagnostic assays yields the highest accuracy in detecting piroplasmosis, minimizing the chances of registering false negative results.
- Further research is recommended to explore the prevalence rate of this disease and the genetic diversity of the piroplasms.
Cite This Article
APA
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.
(2025).
Molecular Diagnosis and Identification of Equine Piroplasms: Challenges and Insights from a Study in Northern Italy.
Animals (Basel), 15(3), 437.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15030437 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
Grant Funding
- PE00000007 / EU funding within the NextGenerationEU-MUR PNRR Extended Partnership initiative on Emerging Infectious Diseases
Citations
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