Risk factors for tick infestation and equine Piroplasmosis infection among draught horses in France.
Abstract: Equine piroplasmosis, caused by the protozoan parasites Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, is endemic in Europe's Mediterranean basin, creating significant health and economic challenges for the equine sector. With no available vaccine, an eco-epidemiological approach is essential in order to identify and implement effective preventive measures. With this aim in view, we identified risk factors associated with B. caballi and T. equi infections and tick infestation for draught horses in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France, known for its high piroplasmosis seroprevalence. During the spring of 2021, blood samples from 146 horses and ticks from both hosts and pastures were collected across 38 farms, then analysed using PCR to determine parasite prevalence. Environmental and meteorological data, along with information on management practices and individual horse characteristics, were collected on-site and from national databases. The results showed significant spatial variability in T. equi and B. caballi prevalence in horses, ranging from 25.7 % [95 % CI: 13.1 - 43.6] to 83.7 % [95 % CI: 69.8 - 92.2] and from 0 % [95 % CI: 0.0 - 26.8] to 26.5 % [95 % CI: 15.4 - 41.3], respectively. Among 1046 collected ticks, 3 % carried either a species of Babesia or Theileria and were identified as Dermacentor marginatus, Dermacentor reticulatus or Ixodes ricinus. We showed a stronger link between the environment and tick exposure for T. equi infections, while B. caballi infections were more closely associated with individual horse characteristics and management practices. Key risk factors for tick infestation included environmental conditions (temperature, rainfall, vegetation cover, altitude, etc.) and the presence of wild animals in pastures. These findings provide a valuable foundation on which to develop targeted prevention and control strategies to protect horses in enzootic regions.
Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2025-03-17 PubMed ID: 40101594DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102468Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates the factors leading to tick infestation and a parasitic infection called equine Piroplasmosis among draught horses in a region of France. It also explores the correlation between the infection, tick exposure, environmental conditions, and horse management practices.
Research Purpose and Methodology
- This study aims to identify the risk factors associated with the infections caused by Babesia caballi and Theileria equi parasites and tick infestation among draught horses in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France.
- Sample collections were undertaken in spring 2021 from 146 horses and ticks also from host pastures across 38 farms. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to analyze these samples and determine the parasites’ prevalence.
- Data pertaining to the environment and weather, horse management practices, and individual horse characteristics were gathered from on-site sources and national databases.
- The study found significant spatial differences in the prevalence of T. equi and B. caballi in horses. The prevalence of T. equi ranged from 25.7% to 83.7% while that of B. caballi ranged from 0% to 26.5%.
- Among the 1046 ticks collected, 3% carried either Babesia or Theileria species. These were identified as Dermacentor marginatus, Dermacentor reticulatus, or Ixodes ricinus.
- The research showed a stronger association between the environment and tick exposure for T. equi infections, while B. caballi infections were more closely related to the horses’ individual characteristics and management practices.
- The key risk factors for tick infestation included environmental conditions such as temperature, rainfall, vegetation cover, altitude, and the presence of wild animals in pastures.
- These findings can be instrumental in developing targeted prevention and control strategies to safeguard horses in regions where the disease is endemic.
Research Findings
Key Risk Factors for Tick Infestation and Infection
Cite This Article
APA
Nadal C, Chanet C, Delaunay C, Pitel PH, Marsot M, Bonnet SI.
(2025).
Risk factors for tick infestation and equine Piroplasmosis infection among draught horses in France.
Ticks Tick Borne Dis, 16(3), 102468.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2025.102468 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Epidemiology Unit, Laboratory for Animal Health, ANSES, University Paris Est, Maisons-Alfort, France; ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, UMR BIPAR, Maisons-Alfort, France.
- Epidemiology Unit, Laboratory for Animal Health, ANSES, University Paris Est, Maisons-Alfort, France.
- Epidemiology Unit, Laboratory for Animal Health, ANSES, University Paris Est, Maisons-Alfort, France.
- LABEO, 1 route de Rosel, Saint Contest, 14053 Caen Cedex 4, France.
- Epidemiology Unit, Laboratory for Animal Health, ANSES, University Paris Est, Maisons-Alfort, France. Electronic address: maud.marsot@anses.fr.
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, UMR BIPAR, Maisons-Alfort, France. Electronic address: Sarah.Bonnet@inrae.fr.
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of interests The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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