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Parasitology research2019; 118(4); 1171-1177; doi: 10.1007/s00436-019-06240-x

Phylogenetic analysis of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi sequences from thoroughbred mares and foals in Trinidad.

Abstract: The agents of equine piroplasmosis, Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, are endemic in Trinidad, West Indies. While transmission is mainly by ixodid ticks, transplacental transmission of T. equi has also been reported. This disease has contributed to foetal losses as well as morbidity and mortality of neonatal foals and adult horses. Previous 18S rRNA-based phylogenetic studies indicated a noticeable degree of variation within and among B. caballi and T. equi isolates from different geographical regions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diversity of T. equi and B. caballi obtained from horses in Trinidad by amplifying a region of the 18S rRNA gene. The phylogenetic trees for T. equi sequences obtained from horses in 2006 and 2011-2013 revealed that Trinidad sequences were of genotype A. Additionally, all of the B. caballi sequences from Trinidad were grouped together with other B. caballi sequences of genotype A. However, T. equi sequences from horses in Saint Kitts and Nevis clustered with sequences of genotype C. This study also identified two genotypes of T. equi in the equine population of Brazil. All of the T. equi and B. caballi sequences obtained from horses in Trinidad belong to genotype A and were similar to T. equi and B. caballi sequences of the same genotype that were submitted to GenBank™ databases. Countries in close proximity to Trinidad have T. equi sequences belonging to genotype C; therefore, movement of horses between these countries can introduce a new genotype of T. equi into the equid population of Trinidad.
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Publication Date: 2019-02-13 PubMed ID: 30761425DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06240-xGoogle 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 study focuses on the analysis of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi strains, pathogens responsible for equine piroplasmosis in horses, specifically targeting mares and foals within cattle farms in Trinidad. The research highlights genetic similarities and differences within these strains across different geographical regions and the potential risk of introduction of new genotypes to the Trinidad horse population due to their close proximity to other countries.

Objective of the Study

  • The aim of this study was to identify the variations within the strains of the two pathogens, T. equi and B. caballi, that commonly affect horses in Trinidad. The focus was particularly on a region of the 18S rRNA gene, which helps provide information on genetic relationships among organisms.
  • The study also aimed to categorize the strains of T. equi and B. caballi based on distinct genotypes, thereby helping comprehensively understand the genetic makeup of these strains-related diseases in different regions.

Key Findings

  • The study found T. equi and B. caballi strains from horses in Trinidad to belong to genotype A, showing genetic similarity with other strains of the same genotype from different regions, submitted on global genetic information databases, such as GenBank™.
  • Interestingly, T. equi strains from horses in the neighboring countries (Saint Kitts and Nevis), however, showed a different, genotype C.
  • The study also discovered that there were two distinct genotypes of T. equi present within the horse population in Brazil.

Significance and Implications

  • This research provides evidence of the genetic diversity of T. equi and B. caballi, pathogens causing equine piroplasmosis – a serious health concern for horses in the region.
  • The finding of the presence of different genotypes in neighboring regions highlights the risk of transmission of new genotypes into the Trinidad horse population. This could potentially lead to the movement and spread of more virulent or resistant strains between countries, impacting the strategies required for disease control and treatment.
  • The identified genetic variances could also have implications for developing targeted treatments or vaccines against these pathogens in future.

Cite This Article

APA
Sant C, Allicock OM, d'Abadie R, Charles RA, Georges K. (2019). Phylogenetic analysis of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi sequences from thoroughbred mares and foals in Trinidad. Parasitol Res, 118(4), 1171-1177. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-019-06240-x

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 118
Issue: 4
Pages: 1171-1177

Researcher Affiliations

Sant, Candice
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. Candice.Sant@sta.uwi.edu.
Allicock, Orchid M
  • Department of Preclinical Sciences, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
  • Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
d'Abadie, Roger
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Charles, Roxanne Albertha
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Georges, Karla
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Babesia / genetics
  • Babesiosis / epidemiology
  • Babesiosis / parasitology
  • Babesiosis / transmission
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horses / parasitology
  • Ixodidae / parasitology
  • Male
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Theileria / genetics
  • Theileriasis / epidemiology
  • Theileriasis / parasitology
  • Trinidad and Tobago / epidemiology

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Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
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