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Equine veterinary journal2025; doi: 10.1111/evj.14505

Prevalence and molecular epidemiology of the novel equine parasite Theileria haneyi in China.

Abstract: Equine piroplasmosis (EP), caused by Theileria equi (T. equi) and Babesia caballi (B. caballi), is a tick-borne disease with significant economic impacts on the equine industry. Theileria haneyi (T. haneyi), a newly identified pathogen of EP, is globally distributed but has not been reported in China, where its epidemiological patterns remain undefined. Objective: To develop diagnostic techniques for T. haneyi and to assess its prevalence and risk factors in China. Methods: Assay development and cross sectional survey. Methods: A nested PCR (nPCR) nucleic acid diagnostic technique targeting the chromosome 1 single-copy (chr1sco) open reading frame (ORF) was developed. This method was applied to 1318 equine nucleic acid samples. Additionally, an iELISA serological diagnostic method was established based on the EMA11 gene. This method was utilised in a cross-sectional analysis of 2627 equine samples. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify significant risk factors. Results: The nPCR assay showed an 11.76% positive detection rate, while iELISA indicated a 16.41% seroprevalence. Both assays were successfully applied for the epidemiological investigation of T. haneyi. Logistic regression analysis identified host species, age, altitude, soil type, and forest and grassland coverage as the main risk factors influencing seropositivity. Phylogenetic analysis of 18S rRNA from 29 positive samples confirmed the presence of T. haneyi in China. Conclusions: Data on clinical signs were not collected. The logistic regression model's performance metrics were not calculated. Conclusions: This study provides the first evidence of T. haneyi infection in China and establishes a scientific basis for understanding its prevalence and geographical distribution.
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Publication Date: 2025-04-21 PubMed ID: 40257377DOI: 10.1111/evj.14505Google 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 research paper is about the prevalence, distribution, and risk factors of a new parasite species (Theileria haneyi) causing Equine piroplasmosis in China.

About Equine piroplasmosis and Theileria haneyi

  • The study focuses on Equine piroplasmosis (EP), a tick-borne disease affecting the equine industry by causing significant economic impacts.
  • The disease is commonly caused by two parasites, Theileria equi (T. equi) and Babesia caballi (B. caballi).
  • Theileria haneyi (T. haneyi), a new species contributing to EP, is distributed globally. However, this research is the first time its presence has been reported in China.

Objective and Methods of the Study

  • The researchers aimed to create diagnostic techniques for T. haneyi and assess its prevalence, distribution, and risk factors in China.
  • A nested PCR (nPCR) nucleic acid diagnostic technique was developed. This technique targeted the chromosome 1 single-copy (chr1sco) open reading frame (ORF).
  • This nPCR method was used to test 1318 equine samples. Additionally, an indirect ELISA (iELISA) serological diagnostic technique was created based on the EMA11 gene.
  • The iELISA method was used for a cross-sectional analysis of 2627 equine samples. The researchers carried out a logistic regression analysis to identify significant risk factors.

Findings and Conclusions

  • The nPCR assay yielded an 11.76% positive rate for T. haneyi infection, while the iELISA method showed a 16.41% seroprevalence.
  • Both the diagnostic techniques demonstrated their efficacy in investigating the epidemiology of T. haneyi.
  • The logistic regression analysis unveiled that host species, age, altitude, soil type, and forest and grassland coverage significantly affected the seropositivity rate.
  • Through the phylogenetic analysis of 18S rRNA from 29 positive samples, the researchers confirmed the novel pathogen’s presence in China.
  • However, data related to clinical signs were not gathered, and performance metrics for the logistic regression model were not calculated.
  • The study is critical as it offers the first evidence of T. haneyi infection in China, providing a scientific basis for understanding the parasite infection’s prevalence and geographical distribution.

Cite This Article

APA
Yang G, Chen Y, Chen K, Hu Z, Li J, Wang J, Guo W, Wang X, Du C. (2025). Prevalence and molecular epidemiology of the novel equine parasite Theileria haneyi in China. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14505

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Yang, Guangpu
  • State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China.
Chen, Yongyan
  • State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China.
Chen, Kewei
  • State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China.
Hu, Zhe
  • State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China.
Li, Jingkun
  • Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
Wang, Jingfei
  • State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China.
Guo, Wei
  • State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China.
Wang, Xiaojun
  • State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China.
  • Institute of Western Agriculture, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural sciences, Changji, China.
Du, Cheng
  • State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China.

Grant Funding

  • 2022YFD1800200 / National Key Research and Development Program of China
  • ZZYD2023010 / Xinjiang Talent Development Fund
  • IWA2023 / Tianchi Talent Introduction Plan

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