Prevalence and genetic diversity of Theileria equi from horses in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous region, China.
Abstract: Theileria equi is a tick-borne intracellular apicomplexan protozoan parasite that causes equine theileriosis (ET). ET is an economically important disease with a worldwide distribution that significantly impacts international horse movement. Horses are an essential part of the economy in Xinjiang which is home to ∼10% of all the horses in China. However, there is very limited information on the prevalence and genetic complexity of T. equi in this region. Blood samples from 302 horses were collected from May to September 2021 in Ili, Xinjiang, and subjected to PCR examination for the presence of T. equi. In addition, a Bayesian latent class model was employed to estimate the true prevalence of T. equi, and a phylogenetic analysis was carried out based on the 18S rRNA gene of T. equi isolates. Seventy-two horses (23.8%) were PCR positive. After accounting for the imperfect PCR test using a Bayesian latent class model, the estimated true prevalence differed considerably between age groups, being 10.8% (95%CrI: 5.8% - 17.9%) in ≤ 3-year-old horses and 35.7% (95%CrI: 28.1% - 44.5%) in horses that were > 3 year-old. All T. equi isolates had their 18S rRNA gene (430bp) sequenced and analyzed in order to identify whether there were multiple genotypes of T. equi in the Xinjiang horse population. All of the 18S rRNA genes clustered into one phylogenetic group, clade E, which is thus probably the dominant genotype of T. equi in Xinjiang, China. To summarize, we monitored the prevalence of T. equi in horses of Xinjiang, China, with a focus on the association between age and the occurrence of T. equi by Bayesian modelling, accompanied by the genotyping of T. equi isolates. Obtaining the information on genotypes and age structure is significant in monitoring the spread of T. equi and studying the factors responsible for the distribution.
Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2023-05-05 PubMed ID: 37150103DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102193Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
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Summary
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This study investigates the prevalence and genetic diversity of Theileria equi, a parasite causing equine theileriosis (ET), in horses in Xinjiang, China. Results indicate significant prevalence rates and the dominant genetic strain of the parasite, providing valuable insight for the monitoring and control of ET.
Study Background and Objective
- The research primarily sought to understand the prevalence of the tick-borne parasite Theileria equi in horses in Xinjiang, China, an area that contains approximately 10% of the nation’s horse population.
- Additionally, the researchers intended to explore the genetic diversity of T. equi in the region, as there was limited information regarding the genetic complexity of the parasite.
Methodology
- The study used blood samples from 302 horses collected from May to September 2021.
- A Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test was used to detect the presence of T. equi in the blood samples.
- A Bayesian latent class model was used to estimate the true prevalence of T. equi, accounting for the PCR test’s imperfections.
- The researchers also conducted a phylogenetic analysis based on the 18S rRNA gene of T. equi isolates to investigate the parasite’s genetic diversity.
Findings
- The PCR results indicated that 23.8% of the horses were positive for T. equi.
- After adjusting for the PCR test’s accuracy, the Bayesian model estimated that the true prevalence varied significantly between age groups, finding a lower prevalence in horses aged three or less (10.8%), and a higher prevalence in older horses (35.7%).
- Genetic analysis of the 18S rRNA gene in T. equi isolates revealed that all samples belonged to one phylogenetic group, clade E, suggesting that this is the dominant type of T. equi in Xinjiang’s horse population.
Significance
- This study’s findings offer important insight into the prevalence of T. equi infection in horses in Xinjiang, highlighting the association between age and infection rates.
- Identifying clade E as the dominant genotype of T. equi in the region aids in understanding the distribution factors and potential measures for managing the spread of the parasite.
Cite This Article
APA
Zhang Y, Shi Q, Laven R, Li C, He W, Zheng H, Liu S, Lu M, Yang DA, Guo Q, Chahan B.
(2023).
Prevalence and genetic diversity of Theileria equi from horses in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous region, China.
Ticks Tick Borne Dis, 14(4), 102193.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102193 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Laboratory of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830052, China. Electronic address: 1319575971@qq.com.
- Laboratory of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830052, China.
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4474, New Zealand.
- Laboratory of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830052, China.
- Laboratory of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830052, China.
- Laboratory of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830052, China.
- Yunnan Branch, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences&Peking Union Medical College, Jinghong, Yunnan 661000, China.
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China. Electronic address: mingmin.lu@njau.edu.cn.
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, China. Electronic address: d.a.yang@njau.edu.cn.
- Laboratory of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830052, China.
- Laboratory of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830052, China.
MeSH Terms
- Cattle
- Horses
- Animals
- Theileria
- Prevalence
- Phylogeny
- Bayes Theorem
- Theileriasis / parasitology
- Genetic Variation
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Babesiosis / epidemiology
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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