Prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi as well as the identification of associated ticks in sympatric Grevy’s zebras (Equus grevyi) and donkeys (Equus africanus asinus) in northern Kenya.
Abstract: The role of equine piroplasmosis as a factor in the population decline of the Grevy's zebra is not known. We determined the prevalence of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in cograzing Grevy's zebras (Equus grevyi) and donkeys (Equus africanus asinus) in northern Kenya and identified the associated tick vectors. Blood samples were taken from 71 donkeys and 16 Grevy's zebras from March to May 2011. A nested PCR reaction using 18s ribosomal (r)RNA primers on 87 blood spots showed 72% (51/71; 95% confidence interval [CI] 60.4-81.0%) of donkeys and 100% (16/16; 95% CI, 77.3-100%) of Grevy's zebras were T. equi positive. No samples were positive for B. caballi. Sequence comparison using the National Center for Biotechnology Information's basic local alignment search tool identified homologous 18s rRNA sequences with a global geographic spread. The T. equi-derived sequences were evaluated using Bayesian approaches with independent Metropolis-coupled Markov chain Monte Carlo runs. The sequences clustered with those found in Sudan, Croatia, Mongolia, and the US, with statistical support greater than 80% for the two main clades. Hyalomma tick species were found on both donkeys and Grevy's zebras, whereas Rhipicephalus pulchellus was found exclusively on Grevy's zebras and Hyalomma marginatum rupfipes on donkeys. The prevalence of T. equi was 100% in Grevy's zebras and 72% in donkeys with common tick vectors identified. Our results suggest that donkeys and Grevy's zebras can be asymptomatic carriers and that piroplasmosis is endemic in the study area.
Publication Date: 2014-11-08 PubMed ID: 25380362DOI: 10.7589/2013-11-316Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The researchers carried out a study to gauge the prevalence of the protozoan parasites, Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, in Grevy’s zebras and donkeys in northern Kenya. The study also identified the types of ticks that act as vectors for these parasites, and the preliminary findings suggest that both equine species are potential carriers of these parasites, which are endemic in the area.
Objective and Methodology of the Study
- The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of two protozoa parasites, Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, in Grevy’s zebras and donkeys living together in northern Kenya. Moreover, it aimed to identify the tick species transmitting these parasites.
- Blood samples were collected from a total of 87 equids – 71 donkeys and 16 zebras – between March and May 2011.
- The researchers used a method called nested PCR, with 18s ribosomal RNA primers, to test the blood samples for the presence of the parasites.
Findings of the Study
- The tests revealed that all zebras and 72% of the donkeys tested positive for T. equi. None of the samples were found to have B. caballi.
- The T. equi-derived sequences matched with similar sequences in a global database, suggesting a wide geographic spread of these parasites. Statistical tools revealed these sequences were closely related to those found in Sudan, Croatia, Mongolia, and the US.
- Various species of the Hyalomma tick were identified on both donkeys and zebras, showing them to be the likely vectors for T. equi. Rhipicephalus pulchellus ticks were found only on Grevy’s zebras, while Hyalomma marginatum rupfipes were identified only on donkeys.
Conclusion end Implications
- The study provides strong evidence that T. equi is prevalent among the population of Grevy’s zebras and donkeys in the region, while B. caballi was not detected.
- This occurrence, coupled with the identification of common tick vectors on both species, suggests that both may be reservoirs for these parasites, despite not showing any symptoms.
- These findings indicate that piroplasmosis, a disease caused by these protozoan parasites, may be endemic in this part of Kenya, which might influence conservation approaches for the Grevy’s zebra.
Cite This Article
APA
Hawkins E, Kock R, McKeever D, Gakuya F, Musyoki C, Chege SM, Mutinda M, Kariuki E, Davidson Z, Low B, Skilton RA, Njahira MN, Wamalwa M, Maina E.
(2014).
Prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi as well as the identification of associated ticks in sympatric Grevy’s zebras (Equus grevyi) and donkeys (Equus africanus asinus) in northern Kenya.
J Wildl Dis, 51(1), 137-147.
https://doi.org/10.7589/2013-11-316 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- 1 Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Babesia / isolation & purification
- Babesiosis / epidemiology
- Equidae
- Female
- Kenya / epidemiology
- Male
- Phylogeny
- Theileria / genetics
- Theileria / isolation & purification
- Theileriasis / epidemiology
- Theileriasis / parasitology
- Tick Infestations / epidemiology
- Tick Infestations / parasitology
- Tick Infestations / veterinary
- Ticks / microbiology
- Ticks / parasitology
- Ticks / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 15 times.- Bhosale CR, Wilson KN, Ledger KJ, White ZS, Dorleans R, De Jesus CE, Wisely SM. Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Recreational Greenspaces in North Central Florida, USA. Microorganisms 2023 Mar 15;11(3).
- Ledger KJ, Beati L, Wisely SM. Survey of Ticks and Tick-Borne Rickettsial and Protozoan Pathogens in Eswatini. Pathogens 2021 Aug 17;10(8).
- Olivieri E, Kariuki E, Floriano AM, Castelli M, Tafesse YM, Magoga G, Kumsa B, Montagna M, Sassera D. Multi-country investigation of the diversity and associated microorganisms isolated from tick species from domestic animals, wildlife and vegetation in selected african countries. Exp Appl Acarol 2021 Mar;83(3):427-448.
- Tirosh-Levy S, Gottlieb Y, Fry LM, Knowles DP, Steinman A. Twenty Years of Equine Piroplasmosis Research: Global Distribution, Molecular Diagnosis, and Phylogeny. Pathogens 2020 Nov 8;9(11).
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- King'ori E, Obanda V, Chiyo PI, Soriguer RC, Morrondo P, Angelone S. Molecular identification of Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia and Theileria in African elephants and their ticks. PLoS One 2019;14(12):e0226083.
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- Fachet-Lehmann K, Lindau A, Mackenstedt U. Unwanted souvenirs-import routes and pathogen detection of the non-endemic tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. in Germany. Exp Appl Acarol 2025 Mar 11;94(3):42.
- Onzere CK, Hassan A, Sears K, Kappmeyer LS, Villarino NF, Fry LM, Bastos RG. Transient efficacy of buparvaquone against Theileria haneyi in chronically infected horses. Parasit Vectors 2024 Aug 12;17(1):337.
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