[Molecular diagnostic of congenital babesiosis in neonates foals from State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil].

This study aimed to show the presence of congenital babesiosis, a tick-borne disease, in two newborn foals (young horses) whose mothers carried the disease. The researchers used a testing method known as nested PCR and found the disease in all tested foals. They recommend further study to understand how the disease is transmitted, either in the womb or during birth.

Research Objective

• The main goal of this research was to demonstrate the presence of a condition known as congenital babesiosis in newborn foals through the use of nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (nPCR). The mares (mothers of the foals) were carriers of the infectious disease.

Methodology

• The researchers based their study on the visualization of intraerytrocytic parasites in blood smears.
• They also used two testing methods: the Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) and nPCR reactions.
• The organisms they were testing for are T. equi and B. caballi, both common agents of babesiosis in equines.

Findings

• All tested mares were positive for T. equi, but only one tested positive for B. caballi through the nPCR method.
• After the mares gave birth, all the foals tested positive for T. equi using nPCR, while just one foal was found positive for B. caballi.
• The results thus demonstrate the presence of congenital babesiosis in newborn foals.

Implications and Future Research

• The study proves that congenital babesiosis, an often overlooked disease due to its rarity, can occur in newborn foals.
• Despite these findings, additional studies are needed to understand the transmission mechanism of the disease.
• Understanding whether the infection is transmitted transplacentally (across the placenta during pregnancy) or during the process of parturition (childbirth) will be instrumental in developing preventative measures and treatments.