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Veterinary parasitology2007; 148(2); 130-136; doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.05.017

Molecular evidence for transplacental transmission of Theileria equi from carrier mares to their apparently healthy foals.

Abstract: The intra-erythrocytic parasite Theileria equi is one of two tick-transmitted causative agents of equine piroplasmosis. Piroplasms of T. equi can be transmitted across the equine placenta and once a horse is infected, it appears to remain a lifelong carrier, since anti-theilerial drugs suppress but do not eliminate the parasite. Carrier mares may transmit the organism to their offspring and this may result in abortion or neonatal piroplasmosis, but observations by some researchers suggest that foals may be born as carriers yet remain apparently healthy. Using a T. equi-specific oligonucleotide probe, we have determined that transplacental transmission occurs early in equine foetal development and that carrier mares may give birth to healthy carrier foals. Investigation of parasite levels and the effect of maternal colostrum on the newborn suggests that colostral T. equi antibody may act to suppress parasitaemia in the newborn, reducing the incidence of clinical neonatal piroplasmosis.
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Publication Date: 2007-06-29 PubMed ID: 17601669DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.05.017Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 research explores the transfer of the parasite Theileria equi from infected mother horses to their offspring through the placenta, how it occurs in early stages of fetal development, and how the mother’s colostrum may help lower parasite levels in newborns, hence reducing the chance of disease manifestation.

Research Background

  • The investigation focuses on Theileria equi, a parasite that infects the red blood cells of horses and is typically transmitted via ticks.
  • This parasite is known to cause a disease called equine piroplasmosis, which horses can carry for their entire lives since available treatments manage but do not completely cure the infection.
  • Furthermore, it’s been observed that mares can pass the parasite to their foals through the placenta, potentially leading to miscarriages or neonatal piroplasmosis, a severe variation of the disease in newborn horses.

Exploring Transplacental Transmission

  • This study uses a T. equi-specific oligonucleotide probe to explore the lifeline of the parasite in foetal horses. The findings indicate transplacental transmission occurs early during the foetal development stage, with the parasite moving from the infected mother to the foetus through the placenta.
  • Interestingly, the research points out that infected mares can give birth to healthy carrier foals. Even though these foals carry the parasite, they might not show any obvious signs of disease.

The Role of Maternal Colostrum

  • The research also addresses maternal colostrum’s impact on newborn horses. Colostrum, the first form of milk produced by the mammary glands immediately following delivery, contains high volumes of antibodies.
  • Upon investigating its effect, it was suggested that T. equi antibodies present in the mother’s colostrum might play a role in suppressing the parasite’s proliferation in the newborn, thus reducing disease incidence.
  • This means that, while the newborn horse is a carrier of the disease due to the parasite’s initial transfer from the mare, the colostrum might help control parasite numbers such that illnesses related to the parasite remain suppressed.

Cite This Article

APA
Allsopp MT, Lewis BD, Penzhorn BL. (2007). Molecular evidence for transplacental transmission of Theileria equi from carrier mares to their apparently healthy foals. Vet Parasitol, 148(2), 130-136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.05.017

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 0304-4017
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 148
Issue: 2
Pages: 130-136

Researcher Affiliations

Allsopp, M T E P
  • Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Private Bag X5, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa.
Lewis, B D
    Penzhorn, B L

      MeSH Terms

      • Abortion, Veterinary / parasitology
      • Animals
      • Animals, Newborn
      • Colostrum / immunology
      • Disease Reservoirs / veterinary
      • Female
      • Fetus / parasitology
      • Horse Diseases / immunology
      • Horse Diseases / parasitology
      • Horse Diseases / transmission
      • Horses
      • Immunity, Maternally-Acquired
      • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / veterinary
      • Placenta / parasitology
      • Pregnancy
      • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / parasitology
      • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / veterinary
      • Theileria
      • Theileriasis / immunology
      • Theileriasis / parasitology
      • Theileriasis / transmission

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