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Veterinary parasitology1999; 85(1); 1-11; doi: 10.1016/s0304-4017(99)00108-9

Seroepidemiologic studies on Babesia equi and Babesia caballi infections in Brazil.

Abstract: Horses from six stud farms representing the most frequent types of horse breeding in Brazil were tested for Babesia antibodies by the IFA test. The farms are located at the tropic of Capricorn at an altitude of 472-715 m where temperatures below 0 degrees C may occur. Horses of conventional stud farms were infested with Dermacentor nitens, Amblyomma cajennense, and Boophilus microplus. Infestation with Bo. microplus was associated with direct or indirect contact of horses with cattle, and was not detected at professional stud farms. At one large professional stud farm, only D. nitens was observed. Prevalence of Babesia equi correlated positively (p<0.001) with contact of pastured horses to cattle (67.1% versus 17.5%). The IFA test was validated using sera from 92 non-infected horses and from 18 ponies infected experimentally with the USDA strains of B. equi or B. caballi or with the Brazilian isolates from the study area. Differences in test results obtained using antigens from USDA strains or Brazilian isolates were not significant. The specificity was 100% except for the IFA test using Brazilian antigen of B. caballi (98%). The sensitivity was 100% except for the IFA test using the USDA antigen of B. caballi. Accuracy of the tests ranged from 98 to 100%, and predictive values from 99 to 100%. Only 59% (132/224) of sera, positive by the IFA test for B. equi, tested positive by CF test, and 45% (232/515) of sera, positive by the IFA test for B. caballi, also tested positive by CF test. In all, 740 field sera from 140 horses, including 63 mares and their foals, were tested. Prevalence and incidences of B. caballi infections were significantly higher than those of B. equi infections: 49.2% (31/63) of the mares were infected with B. equi, but 79.4% (50/63) with B. caballi; 36% (18/50) of the foals became infected with B. equi within 12 months, but 100% (50/50) with B. caballi within 10 months. Maternal antibodies against B. equi and B. caballi in foals were 44 (22/50) and 68% (34/50), respectively. Titers persisted for 1-5 months for B. equi and 1-4 months for B. caballi.
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Publication Date: 1999-08-14 PubMed ID: 10447188DOI: 10.1016/s0304-4017(99)00108-9Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research article explores the prevalence of Babesia equi and Babesia caballi infections in horses on Brazilian stud farms, highlighting the role of certain tick species as vectors and the positive correlation between the proximity of cattle and infection rates. The study also evaluates the performance of the Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA) test, showing high levels of accuracy, sensitivity and specificity, and shared insights on incidences of infections, as well as the role of maternal antibodies.

Study Context and Methodology

  • The study was conducted on six stud farms in Brazil, representing common horse breeding types. These farms are situated in areas where temperatures can drop below 0 degrees Celsius.
  • Testing for Babesia antibodies in horses was performed using the IFA test.
  • Horses on conventional stud farms were observed to be infested with certain tick species, including Dermacentor nitens, Amblyomma cajennense, and Boophilus microplus.
  • Boophilus microplus infestation was associated with horses that had direct or indirect contact with cattle. However, this type of infestation was not detected at professional stud farms.

Findings and Observations

  • The research found a positive correlation between cases of Babesia equi and horses pastured in close proximity to cattle, with prevalence markedly higher in such instances.
  • The IFA test was validated by testing sera from non-infected horses and ponies experimentally infected with USDA strains of B. equi or B. caballi or with Brazilian isolates from the study area.
  • No significant discrepancy was found in results when using antigens from USDA strains or Brazilian isolates.
  • The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy levels of the tests were high, ranging from 98% to 100%.
  • However, the CF test for B. equi showed a lesser level of agreement with the IFA test, with only 59% of B. equi-positive sera confirmed by the CF test.

Infection Rates and Role of Maternal Antibodies

  • The study investigated the prevalence of B. equi and B. caballi infections in 140 horses, including 63 mares and their foals.
  • Infections from B. caballi were significantly more common than from B. equi; particularly among mares and their foals within 10 to 12 months.
  • Maternal antibodies against both B. equi and B. caballi were found in foals, persisting for 1-5 months for B. equi, and 1-4 months for B. caballi.

Cite This Article

APA
Heuchert CM, de Giulli V, de Athaide DF, Böse R, Friedhoff KT. (1999). Seroepidemiologic studies on Babesia equi and Babesia caballi infections in Brazil. Vet Parasitol, 85(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0304-4017(99)00108-9

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 0304-4017
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 85
Issue: 1
Pages: 1-11

Researcher Affiliations

Heuchert, C M
  • Institute of Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany.
de Giulli, V
    de Athaide, D F
      Böse, R
        Friedhoff, K T

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
          • Babesia / immunology
          • Babesia / isolation & purification
          • Babesiosis / epidemiology
          • Babesiosis / immunology
          • Blotting, Western / veterinary
          • Brazil / epidemiology
          • Cattle
          • Complement Fixation Tests / veterinary
          • Female
          • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / veterinary
          • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
          • Horse Diseases / immunology
          • Horse Diseases / parasitology
          • Horses
          • Immunity, Maternally-Acquired / immunology
          • Incidence
          • Male
          • Predictive Value of Tests
          • Seasons
          • Sensitivity and Specificity
          • Seroepidemiologic Studies

          Citations

          This article has been cited 13 times.
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