Molecular evidence of Theileria equi infection in Hyalomma anatolicum ticks infested on sero-positive Indian horses.
Abstract: A sizeable Indian equine population is considered to be pre-immune carrier of Theileria equi infection. In this study we confirmed the presence of T. equi specific DNA in Hyalomma anatolicum ticks which were infested on sero-positive horses. Fifty two Indigenous horses were randomly selected from endemic areas and their blood and tick samples were collected. Tick salivary glands and blood samples were processed for separation of DNA and serum, respectively. Serum samples were analyzed by EMA-2ELISA and nine horses were found positive for T. equi specific antibodies. Species-specific primers were designed from EMA-2 gene of T. equi, so as to amplify 398 bp fragment in PCR. The gene fragment was amplified in PCR on the DNA samples (from blood) from these nine sero-positive horses. Corresponding six tick's DNA samples collected from these nine seropositive animals were observed positive in PCR. Further, qPCR assay demonstrated presence of T. equi DNA in infected tick's salivary glands, which was also confirmed by microscopic examination of infected acinar. This study concluded that Hyalomma anatolicum ticks infested on T. equi seropositive horses have sporozoite developmental stage in their salivary glands, which is an evidence for transmitting potential of these tick among Indian horse population.
Publication Date: 2015-07-24 PubMed ID: 26204002DOI: 10.1515/ap-2015-0045Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates the presence of Theileria equi, a type of parasite, in ticks found on horses in India. The study finds that these ticks, particularly the species Hyalomma anatolicum, can carry the parasite and may potentially transmit it to the horse population.
Methodology
- The study involved a sample of fifty two indigenous horses, selected from areas where the disease is typically prevalent. These areas are known as endemic areas.
- Both blood and tick samples were collected from these horses for further analysis. Ticks were found on the body of these horses and their salivary glands were removed for further study.
- To ensure efficacy, both blood and tick salivary gland samples underwent a process to isolate the DNA and serum from each.
Findings
- A testing technique known as EMA-2ELISA was used on the serum samples to detect the presence of antibodies specific to Theileria equi. This revealed that nine of the horses had these antibodies in their blood, indicating that they were currently, or had previously, been infected.
- PCR, or Polymerase Chain Reaction, is a technique used to quickly generate large amounts of specific DNA samples. In this study, it was employed to verify the presence of a 398 base pair (bp) gene fragment, specific to T. equi in both the blood samples of these nine horses and also in six of the collected ticks samples.
- Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was also carried out on tick salivary gland samples, confirming the presence of T. equi DNA. This was reinforced by microscopic examination of what is known as the acinar, or glandular structures within the tick’s salivary glands.
Conclusion
- Ultimately, this research could establish that Hyalomma anatolicum ticks, found on T. equi-positive horses, carried the parasite in a specific developmental stage within their salivary glands, effectively making them carriers for the disease.
- This is significant as it demonstrates the potential these ticks have for transmitting this parasite among the horse population in India, posing a possible risk to equine health in the region.
Cite This Article
APA
Bhagwan J, Kumar A, Kumar R, Goyal L, Goel P, Kumar S.
(2015).
Molecular evidence of Theileria equi infection in Hyalomma anatolicum ticks infested on sero-positive Indian horses.
Acta Parasitol, 60(2), 322-329.
https://doi.org/10.1515/ap-2015-0045 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
- DNA, Protozoan / genetics
- DNA, Protozoan / isolation & purification
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horses
- India
- Ixodidae / parasitology
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Salivary Glands / parasitology
- Theileria / isolation & purification
- Tick Infestations / parasitology
- Tick Infestations / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Bonnet SI, Bertagnoli S, Falchi A, Figoni J, Fite J, Hoch T, Quillery E, Moutailler S, Raffetin A, René-Martellet M, Vourc'h G, Vial L. An Update of Evidence for Pathogen Transmission by Ticks of the Genus Hyalomma.. Pathogens 2023 Mar 25;12(4).
- Kamran K, Ali A, Villagra CA, Bazai ZA, Iqbal A, Sajid MS. Hyalomma anatolicum resistance against ivermectin and fipronil is associated with indiscriminate use of acaricides in southwestern Balochistan, Pakistan.. Parasitol Res 2021 Jan;120(1):15-25.
- Yu P, Liu Z, Niu Q, Yang J, Abdallah MO, Chen Z, Liu G, Luo J, Yin H. Molecular evidence of tick-borne pathogens in Hyalomma anatolicum ticks infesting cattle in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Northwestern China.. Exp Appl Acarol 2017 Oct;73(2):269-281.
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