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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Anim Sci / Molecular evidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Theileri...
Veterinary and animal science2019; 7; 100055; doi: 10.1016/j.vas.2019.100055

Molecular evidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Theileria equi coinfection in horses from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Abstract: The present study aims to determine the frequencies of Theileria equi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum antibodies among horses from the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and to detect the presence of DNA of these pathogens through molecular methods. A total of 98 serum samples of horses from the municipality of Seropedica were tested by indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) to detect anti-A. phagocytophilum and anti-T. equi IgG antibodies. In addition, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to detect these pathogens in the DNA extracted from the whole blood and buffy coat of horses. Bivariate analysis and odds ratio were performed to verify the possible association between positivity and characteristics related to the horses. As evaluated by IFA and qPCR, the frequency of animals that tested positive for T. equi was 89.8% (n = 88/98) and 91.8% (n = 90/98), whereas A. phagocytophilum was 17.4% (n = 17/98) and 1.0% (n = 1/98), respectively. Serological evidence of exposure to A. phagocytophilum and T. equi was observed in 16.3% (n = 16/98) of the horses; however, exposure was confirmed by qPCR in only 1.0% (n = 1/98). No statistical association was found in the bivariate and odds ratio analysis. This is the first study reporting the molecular detection of A. phagocytophilum DNA in horses from the state of Rio de Janeiro, and also the coinfection of A. phagocytophilum and T. equi in a horse from Brazil confirmed by molecular methods. Equine granulocytic anaplasmosis is circulating in Brazilian horses, together with T. equi, and should be included in the differential diagnosis of tick-borne diseases.
© 2019 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2019-03-20 PubMed ID: 32734076PubMed Central: PMC7386651DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2019.100055Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 study focuses on the frequency and detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Theileria equi, pathogens found in Brazilian horses. Using molecular techniques, it also confirms the first detection of the coexistence of both pathogens in horses from Rio de Janeiro.

Objective and Procedure of the Study

  • The research aimed to determine the frequency of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Theileria equi antibodies in horses located in the region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
  • The researchers used indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) tests to identify anti-Anaplasma phagocytophilum and anti-Theileria equi IgG antibodies in the serum samples taken from 98 horses.
  • Quantitative real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) was used to identify the presence of these pathogens in the horses’ DNA extracted from whole blood and buffy coat.
  • Statistical bivariate analysis and odds ratio were utilized to investigate any association between the detected positivity and characteristics specific to the horses.

Findings of the Study

  • The research found that 89.8% of the horses tested positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum and 91.8% for Theileria equi, using both IFA and qPCR methodologies.
  • The frequency of Theileria equi however was considerably less, with only 17.4% and 1.0% positivity rate derived from IFA and qPCR respectively.
  • Simultaneous exposure to both pathogens was observed serologically in 16.3% of the horses, but confirmed through qPCR in just 1.0% of the samples.
  • From the analysis, no significant statistical association could be identified between the rate of positivity and the horses’ characteristics.

Significance of the Study

  • This research reports the first molecular detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA in horses from the state of Rio de Janeiro.
  • The study also provides evidence of co-infection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Theileria equi in a horse authenticated by molecular methods, marking the first such discovery in Brazil.
  • The presence of these pathogens suggests that veterinary professionals should include equine granulocytic anaplasmosis in the differential diagnosis of tick-borne diseases in horses from the region.

Cite This Article

APA
Dos Santos TM, Roier ECR, Pires MS, Santos HA, Vilela JAR, Peckle M, Paulino PG, Baldani CD, Massard CL. (2019). Molecular evidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Theileria equi coinfection in horses from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Vet Anim Sci, 7, 100055. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vas.2019.100055

Publication

Veterinary and animal science
ISSN: 2451-943X
NlmUniqueID: 101694897
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 7
Pages: 100055

Researcher Affiliations

Dos Santos, Tiago Marques
  • Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Br 465, km 7, Seropedica, Rio de Janeiro 23897-000, Brazil.
Roier, Erica Cristina Rocha
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine, Severino Sombra University, Vassouras, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Pires, Marcus Sandes
  • Department of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Br 465, km 7, Seropedica, Rio de Janeiro 23897-000, Brazil.
Santos, Huarrisson Azevedo
  • Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Br 465, km 7, Seropedica, Rio de Janeiro 23897-000, Brazil.
Vilela, Joice Aparecida Rezende
  • Company of Technical Assistance and Extension Rural (EMATER) Estrada RJ 99, km 8 - Piranema, Itaguaí, Rio de Janeiro 23855-120, Brazil.
Peckle, Maristela
  • Department of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Br 465, km 7, Seropedica, Rio de Janeiro 23897-000, Brazil.
Paulino, Patrícia Gonzaga
  • Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Br 465, km 7, Seropedica, Rio de Janeiro 23897-000, Brazil.
Baldani, Cristiane Divan
  • Department of Medicine and Veterinary Surgery, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, BR 465, Km 7, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro 23890000, Brazil.
Massard, Carlos Luiz
  • Department of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Br 465, km 7, Seropedica, Rio de Janeiro 23897-000, Brazil.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
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