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Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2009; 184(3); 346-350; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.03.021

Prevalence and diagnosis of Babesia and Theileria infections in horses in Italy: a preliminary study.

Abstract: Babesia caballi and Theileria equi are the causative agents of equine piroplasmosis. In this preliminary epidemiological study, 412 horses reared in central and northern Italy were sampled and three diagnostic methods compared, namely, the microscopy, the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and a PCR. Possible risk factors (such as area, season, breed, activity, sex, age, and grazing) associated with serological positivity were evaluated. A seroprevalence of 68.4% was found: 12.4% of the animals had anti-T. equi antibodies, 17.9% anti-B. caballi antibodies and 38.1% had antibodies against both species. Of the seropositive samples, 3.1% and 9.4% were positive to microscopy and PCR, respectively; 31.5% of the horses were IFAT-negative but 1.4% and 2.4% of the corresponding blood samples were positive to microscopy and PCR, respectively. Molecular techniques revealed that the species present were closely related to T. equi, Theileria sergenti, Theileria buffeli and the Babesia microti-like piroplasm provisionally named Theileria annae. Grazing was found to be a pronounced risk factor for equine piroplasmosis.
Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2009-04-24 PubMed ID: 19394253DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.03.021Google 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.

This research paper presents a preliminary study on the prevalence and diagnosis of Babesia and Theileria infections, also known as equine piroplasmosis, in horses from central and northern Italy, using three different diagnostic methods. The paper also analyzes various risk factors linked with these infections.

Research Objectives and Methodology

  • The study’s key objective was to determine the prevalence of Babesia and Theileria (causative agents of equine piroplasmosis) infections in horses.
  • The research employed three diagnostic methods: microscopy, the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
  • Researchers selected a sample of 412 horses from central and northern Italy for this study.
  • The study also analyzed potential risk factors associated with infection, such as geographical location, season, breed, activity level, sex, age, and the horse’s propensity to graze.

Findings

  • Researchers found a high seroprevalence; 68.4% of the horses exhibited antibodies to either T. equi, B. caballi or both. More specifically, 12.4% had anti-T. equi antibodies, 17.9% had anti-B. caballi antibodies, and 38.1% had antibodies against both pathogens.
  • From the seropositive samples, 3.1% were positive to microscopy and 9.4% were positive to PCR.
  • However, 31.5% of the horses were IFAT-negative, but 1.4% and 2.4% of their blood samples were positive to microscopy and PCR, respectively.
  • The molecular techniques showed that the species present in the horses were closely related to T. equi, Theileria sergenti, Theileria buffeli, and the Babesia microti-like piroplasm, which has been provisionally named Theileria annae.
  • The study revealed that grazing was a significant risk factor for equine piroplasmosis.

Implications of the Study

  • The study provides valuable findings on the prevalence of Babesia and Theileria infections in horses in Italy, which could help in improving diagnosis and treatment strategies.
  • Knowledge about the risk factors, especially grazing, can help horse owners and ranchers in planning preventive measures against equine piroplasmosis.
  • The study also indicates the need for further research, given the high seroprevalence rates and the differences found in results using different diagnostic methods.

Cite This Article

APA
Moretti A, Mangili V, Salvatori R, Maresca C, Scoccia E, Torina A, Moretta I, Gabrielli S, Tampieri MP, Pietrobelli M. (2009). Prevalence and diagnosis of Babesia and Theileria infections in horses in Italy: a preliminary study. Vet J, 184(3), 346-350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.03.021

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1532-2971
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 184
Issue: 3
Pages: 346-350

Researcher Affiliations

Moretti, Annabella
  • Dipartimento di Scienze Biopatologiche ed Igiene delle Produzioni Animali e Alimentari, Università di Perugia, 06100 Perugia, Italy. annabella.moretti@unipg.it
Mangili, Vittorio
    Salvatori, Romana
      Maresca, Carmen
        Scoccia, Eleonora
          Torina, Alessandra
            Moretta, Iolanda
              Gabrielli, Simona
                Tampieri, Maria P
                  Pietrobelli, Mario

                    MeSH Terms

                    • Animal Husbandry / methods
                    • Animals
                    • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
                    • Babesia / immunology
                    • Babesia / isolation & purification
                    • Babesiosis / diagnosis
                    • Babesiosis / epidemiology
                    • Babesiosis / veterinary
                    • Female
                    • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / veterinary
                    • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
                    • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                    • Horse Diseases / parasitology
                    • Horses
                    • Italy / epidemiology
                    • Male
                    • Poaceae / parasitology
                    • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
                    • Risk Factors
                    • Seroepidemiologic Studies
                    • Theileria / immunology
                    • Theileria / isolation & purification
                    • Theileriasis / diagnosis
                    • Theileriasis / epidemiology

                    Citations

                    This article has been cited 35 times.
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