Problems in the Protection of Reintroduced Przewalski’s Horses (Equus ferus przewalskii) Caused by Piroplasmosis.
Abstract: The objectives of our research on equine piroplasmosis were to clarify the prevalence of the piroplasms Babesia caballi and Theileria equi among reintroduced Przewalski's horses (takhi, Equus ferus przewalskii) in comparison with horses (Equus caballus) of nomads from around Hustai National Park in Mongolia and to determine the mortality among takhi during 2012 to 2015. The prevalence of T. equi was high in 2014 at 80% among nomadic horses and 84% among takhi. We found no evidence of B. caballi infection among takhi. A homology comparison of the 18S rRNA base sequence of T. equi showed the same sequence in both domestic horses and takhi. According to the national park records, piroplasmosis is a cause of high mortality in young takhi (19%). The results suggested that takhi were infected with T. equi in this park, and the infection is an important issue when reintroducing the takhi into the wild and increasing the numbers of the animals in nature. Continuous monitoring and vector control were noted as important issues in future conservation programs.
Publication Date: 2017-07-12 PubMed ID: 28700320DOI: 10.7589/2017-02-024Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
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 study focuses on the problem of piroplasmosis, a disease caused by parasites, experienced by reintroduced Przewalski’s horses in Mongolia’s Hustai National Park. The aim was to determine the prevalence of the disease among these native horses, potential transmission from domestic horses, and the resulting mortality rates.
Study Objectives
- The main objective of this study was to understand the prevalence of two parasites causing equine piroplasmosis – Babesia caballi and Theileria equi – in Przewalski’s horses, often known as takhi.
- It compared the prevalence of these parasites in Przewalski’s horses and the horses of nearby nomads.
- The study also aimed to ascertain the mortality rate among the Przewalski’s horses due to the piroplasmosis during a three year span from 2012 to 2015.
Findings
- In 2014, the prevalence of Theileria equi was found to be high among both nomadic horses (80%) and Przewalski’s horses (84%).
- Contrary to Theileria equi, there was no observed occurrence of Babesia caballi infection among the Przewalski’s horses.
- Comparative studies of the 18S rRNA base sequence of Theileria equi revealed identical sequences in both the domestic and Przewalski’s horses suggesting a potential similar source of the parasite.
- According to the park records, piroplasmosis caused high mortality rates in young takhi. Almost 19% of deaths were related to it.
Implications
- The study highlighted that piroplasmosis, specifically caused by the parasite Theileria equi, is a significant issue within the Przewalski’s horse population in Hustai National Park.
- This disease poses a threat to the reintroduction and conservation efforts of Przewalski’s horses in the wild.
- The findings suggest a need for ongoing monitoring and effective vector (parasite transmitting agent) control in future conservation initiatives.
Cite This Article
APA
Tarav M, Tokunaga M, Kondo T, Kato-Mori Y, Hoshino B, Dorj U, Hagiwara K.
(2017).
Problems in the Protection of Reintroduced Przewalski’s Horses (Equus ferus przewalskii) Caused by Piroplasmosis.
J Wildl Dis, 53(4), 911-915.
https://doi.org/10.7589/2017-02-024 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- 1 School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, 582 Bunkyodai Ebetsu, Hokkaido, 069-8501, Japan.
- 1 School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, 582 Bunkyodai Ebetsu, Hokkaido, 069-8501, Japan.
- 1 School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, 582 Bunkyodai Ebetsu, Hokkaido, 069-8501, Japan.
- 1 School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, 582 Bunkyodai Ebetsu, Hokkaido, 069-8501, Japan.
- 2 Department of Environmental and Symbiotic Science, Rakuno Gakuen University, 582 Bunkyodai Ebetsu, Hokkaido, 069-8501, Japan.
- 3 Hustai National Park, Mongolia, PO Box 1160, Ulaanbaatar 13, Mongolia.
- 1 School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, 582 Bunkyodai Ebetsu, Hokkaido, 069-8501, Japan.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Domestic
- Animals, Wild
- Babesiosis / epidemiology
- Babesiosis / prevention & control
- DNA, Protozoan / blood
- DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
- DNA, Protozoan / isolation & purification
- Endangered Species
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horses
- Phylogeny
- Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- Prevalence
- Theileria / classification
- Theileria / genetics
- Theileriasis / epidemiology
- Theileriasis / prevention & control
- Tick Infestations / complications
- Tick Infestations / epidemiology
- Tick Infestations / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Glidden CK, Koehler AV, Hall RS, Saeed MA, Coppo M, Beechler BR, Charleston B, Gasser RB, Jolles AE, Jabbar A. Elucidating cryptic dynamics of Theileria communities in African buffalo using a high-throughput sequencing informatics approach. Ecol Evol 2020 Jan;10(1):70-80.
- Narankhajid M, Yeruult C, Gurbadam A, Battsetseg J, Aberle SW, Bayartogtokh B, Joachim A, Duscher GG. Some aspects on tick species in Mongolia and their potential role in the transmission of equine piroplasms, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi L. Parasitol Res 2018 Nov;117(11):3557-3566.
- Zhu L, Ma Y, He C, Huang C, Gao X, Ding P, Zhong L. Genetic Diversity and Phylogenetic Relationships of Castor fiber birulai in Xinjiang, China, Revealed by Mitochondrial Cytb and D-loop Sequence Analyses. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 16;15(14).
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
