Prevalence and genetic characterization of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in grazing horses in Xinjiang, northwestern China.
Abstract: Piroplasmosis is a disease that negatively affects equine health worldwide. Hence, 324 blood samples were collected from grazing horses in ten sites in Xinjiang and testing them for the presence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi by PCR of the EMA-1 gene and BC48 gene, respectively. Of the 324 blood samples, 161 (49.7%) were positive for equine piroplasms. The prevalence of T. equi was 38.9% (126/324), while that of B. caballi was 30.2% (98/324). The T. equi and B. caballi co-infection rate was 19.4% (63/324). From the 126 EMA-1 gene sequences and 98 BC48 gene sequences we obtained, 21 and 27 genotypes were identified, respectively. The EMA-1 sequences together with the GenBank reference sequences grouped into four clusters, with those from the present study forming two distinct clusters. In contrast, the BC48 sequences formed eight clusters with the GenBank reference sequences, while those obtained in the present study formed five distinct clusters. Our results highlight the widespread distribution and abundant gene polymorphism of T. equi and B. caballi in grazing horses from Xinjiang.
© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
Publication Date: 2022-12-12 PubMed ID: 36504396DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07749-4Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study explores the prevalence and genetic variety of two diseases, Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, in horses in Xinjiang, northwestern China. The findings underscore the widespread distribution and genetic diversity of the two diseases in the region.
Research Methodology
- The study collected 324 blood samples from horses that were grazing in ten different sites located in Xinjiang.
- These samples were tested for the presence of two equine diseases: Theileria equi and Babesia caballi.
- The detection of these diseases was performed using a method called PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) that amplifies traces of the diseases if present. The researchers particularly looked for EMA-1 gene to indicate Theileria equi and BC48 gene for Babesia caballi.
Results and Findings
- Out of the 324 blood samples, 161 (49.7%) tested positive for either of the two diseases, which are collectively referred to as equine piroplasms.
- The prevalence of Theileria equi was found to be 38.9% (126 out of 324), while that of Babesia caballi 30.2% (98 out of 324).
- It was also noted that the rate of co-infection (horses contracting both diseases) was 19.4% (63 out of 324).
Genetic Characterization
- Genetic analysis was conducted on the positive samples, resulting in 126 EMA-1 gene sequences (for Theileria equi) and 98 BC48 gene sequences (for Babesia caballi).
- The EMA-1 sequences yielded 21 different genotypes while BC48 sequences revealed 27 genotypes.
- When compared with reference sequences from the GenBank, the EMA-1 sequences formed four clusters, two of them unique to the study. Whereas, the BC48 sequences arranged themselves into eight clusters with the GenBank reference sequences, five of them being distinct to the current study.
Conclusion
- The findings of this research underline the widespread distribution of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi among the horse population in Xinjiang.
- Moreover, the significant genetic polymorphism (variation) of these diseases in the same region is also notable.
Cite This Article
APA
Wu J, Cui Y, Yu F, Muhatai G, Tao D, Zhao A, Ning C, Qi M.
(2022).
Prevalence and genetic characterization of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in grazing horses in Xinjiang, northwestern China.
Parasitol Res, 122(2), 387-394.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-022-07749-4 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, No. 1188 Junken Avenue, Alar, Xinjiang, 843300, People's Republic of China.
- School of Biotechnology and Food, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu, 476000, People's Republic of China.
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, No. 1188 Junken Avenue, Alar, Xinjiang, 843300, People's Republic of China.
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, No. 1188 Junken Avenue, Alar, Xinjiang, 843300, People's Republic of China.
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, No. 1188 Junken Avenue, Alar, Xinjiang, 843300, People's Republic of China.
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, No. 1188 Junken Avenue, Alar, Xinjiang, 843300, People's Republic of China.
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, No. 1188 Junken Avenue, Alar, Xinjiang, 843300, People's Republic of China.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, No. 1188 Junken Avenue, Alar, Xinjiang, 843300, People's Republic of China. qimengdz@163.com.
MeSH Terms
- Cattle
- Horses
- Animals
- Babesia / genetics
- Theileria / genetics
- Theileriasis / epidemiology
- Prevalence
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Phylogeny
- Babesiosis / epidemiology
- China / epidemiology
- Bacteria
Grant Funding
- 2018CB034 / the Program for Young and Middle-aged Leading Science, Technology, and Innovation of Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps
- 202102110104 / Jilin Scientific and Technological Development Program
- 32102708 / National Natural Science Foundation of China
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