FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Med Sci / Serological and molecular detection of selected hemoprotozoa...
The Journal of veterinary medical science2020; 82(3); 286-293; doi: 10.1292/jvms.19-0534

Serological and molecular detection of selected hemoprotozoan parasites in donkeys in West Omdurman, Khartoum State, Sudan.

Abstract: In Sudan, donkeys are important animals, providing transportation and income possibilities. However, the prevalence of parasites in donkeys in Sudan has not been thoroughly characterized. Accordingly, in this study, we aimed to detect selected hemoprotozoan parasites in donkeys in West Omdurman, Khartoum State, Sudan, wherein people depend mainly on donkeys for their daily life. In total, 198 blood samples collected from donkeys in a local market in West Omdurman, were screened using serological and molecular diagnostic techniques. Serologically, 52 (26.3%), 56 (28.3%), and 19 (9.6%) samples were positive for trypanosomosis using Card Agglutination Test for Trypanosoma evansi, Trypanosoma evansi crude antigen -based enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) and recombinant Trypanosoma evansi GM6-4r-based ELISA, respectively. ELISA for equine piroplasmosis revealed 156 (78.8%) and 10 (5.1%)Theileria equi- and Babesia caballi-positive samples, respectively. PCR detected Trypanosoma congolense, subgenus Trypanozoon, Theileria equi, and Babesia caballi in 18 (9.1%), 77 (38.9%), 18 (9.1%), and 8 (4%) samples, respectively. Of the 77 Trypanozoon-positive samples, 35 (45.5%) were confirmed as Trypanosoma evansi type A. To our knowledge, this is the first report of detection of Trypanosoma congolense in donkeys outside of tsetse-infested areas in Sudan.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2020-01-22 PubMed ID: 31969541PubMed Central: PMC7118482DOI: 10.1292/jvms.19-0534Google 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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.

This research is about investigating the existence of certain blood parasites in donkeys located in West Omdurman, Khartoum State, Sudan, through serological and molecular diagnostic techniques.

Overview of the Research

  • The researchers aimed to study the prevalence of hemoprotozoan parasites (a group of protozoans that inhabit the blood) in donkeys in Sudan.
  • This investigation is important because in Sudan, donkeys play a significant role in transportation and financial income. Despite their importance, very little is known about the presence of parasites in these animals.
  • A total of 198 blood samples were collected from donkeys in a local market in West Omdurman for this study.

Methods Used in the Research

  • The collected blood samples were screened using both serological (study of serum, particularly regarding immune response) and molecular diagnostic techniques.
  • Specifically, three types of tests were used to detect trypanosomosis (a disease caused by parasitic protozoan trypanosomes), namely the Card Agglutination Test for Trypanosoma evansi, Trypanosoma evansi crude antigen -based Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA), and recombinant Trypanosoma evansi GM6-4r-based ELISA.
  • Parallelly, ELISA tests were also employed to reveal equine piroplasmosis (a disease affecting horses, mules, and donkeys caused by parasites Theileria equi and Babesia caballi).
  • A Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was performed as a form of molecular detection for Trypanosoma congolense, Theileria equi, and Babesia caballi parasites. Trypanosoma congolense is another species of the protozoan parasite causing diseases in certain mammals.

Findings of the Research

  • Through serological tests, the team found evidence of trypanosomosis in 26.3%, 28.3% and 9.6% of samples via different types of ELISA.
  • Equine piroplasmosis was found in 78.8% of the samples for Theileria equi and 5.1% for Babesia caballi through ELISA tests.
  • PCR results detected Trypanosoma congolense, Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in 9.1%, 38.9% and 4% of samples respectively.
  • Among the Trypanozoon-positive samples (Trypanosoma belongs to this subgenus), 45.5% were identified as Trypanosoma evansi type A.
  • This research marks the first-ever documentation of detecting Trypanosoma congolense in donkeys outside of tsetse-infested areas in Sudan, revealing a new potential reservoir for the disease.

Cite This Article

APA
Elata A, Mossaad E, Satti R, Matar N, Ohari Y, Xuan X, Inoue N, Suganuma K. (2020). Serological and molecular detection of selected hemoprotozoan parasites in donkeys in West Omdurman, Khartoum State, Sudan. J Vet Med Sci, 82(3), 286-293. https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.19-0534

Publication

The Journal of veterinary medical science
ISSN: 1347-7439
NlmUniqueID: 9105360
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 82
Issue: 3
Pages: 286-293

Researcher Affiliations

Elata, Afraa
  • National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
  • Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, 13314, Sudan.
Mossaad, Ehab
  • Department of Pathology, Parasitology and Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum, P.O. Box 204, Sudan.
Satti, Rawan
  • Department of Pathology, Parasitology and Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum, P.O. Box 204, Sudan.
Matar, Nadia
  • Department of Pathology, Parasitology and Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum, P.O. Box 204, Sudan.
Ohari, Yuma
  • National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
Xuan, Xuenan
  • National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
Inoue, Noboru
  • Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
Suganuma, Keisuke
  • National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Inada, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
  • Babesia / classification
  • Babesiosis / blood
  • Babesiosis / epidemiology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
  • Equidae / blood
  • Equidae / parasitology
  • Sudan / epidemiology
  • Theileria / classification
  • Theileriasis / blood
  • Theileriasis / epidemiology
  • Trypanosoma congolense / isolation & purification
  • Trypanosomiasis, African / blood
  • Trypanosomiasis, African / epidemiology
  • Trypanosomiasis, African / veterinary

References

This article includes 47 references
  1. Ahmed SK, Rahman AH, Hassan MA, Salih SE, Paone M, Cecchi G. An atlas of tsetse and bovine trypanosomosis in Sudan.. Parasit Vectors 2016 Apr 7;9:194.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-016-1485-6pmc: PMC4825090pubmed: 27056678google scholar: lookup
  2. Alhassan A, Pumidonming W, Okamura M, Hirata H, Battsetseg B, Fujisaki K, Yokoyama N, Igarashi I. Development of a single-round and multiplex PCR method for the simultaneous detection of Babesia caballi and Babesia equi in horse blood.. Vet Parasitol 2005 Apr 20;129(1-2):43-9.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2004.12.018pubmed: 15817201google scholar: lookup
  3. Angara T. E. E., Ismail A. A., Ibrahim A. M.. The role of donkeys in income generation and the impact of endoparasites on their performance.. U. of K. J. Vet. Med. Anim. Prod. 2011;2:65–89.
  4. Aregawi WG, Agga GE, Abdi RD, Büscher P. Systematic review and meta-analysis on the global distribution, host range, and prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi.. Parasit Vectors 2019 Jan 31;12(1):67.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-019-3311-4pmc: PMC6357473pubmed: 30704516google scholar: lookup
  5. Bajyana Songa E, Hamers R. A card agglutination test (CATT) for veterinary use based on an early VAT RoTat 1/2 of Trypanosoma evansi.. Ann Soc Belg Med Trop 1988 Sep;68(3):233-40.
    pubmed: 3223785
  6. Bennett S. C. J.. The treatment of Equine Trypanosoma Congolense infections with Surfen C (Bayer).. J. Comp. Pathol. Ther. 1936;49:151–159.
    doi: 10.1016/S0368-1742(36)80010-1google scholar: lookup
  7. Brüning A. Equine piroplasmosis an update on diagnosis, treatment and prevention.. Br Vet J 1996 Mar;152(2):139-51.
    doi: 10.1016/S0007-1935(96)80070-4pubmed: 8680838google scholar: lookup
  8. Claes F, Radwanska M, Urakawa T, Majiwa PA, Goddeeris B, Büscher P. Variable Surface Glycoprotein RoTat 1.2 PCR as a specific diagnostic tool for the detection of Trypanosoma evansi infections.. Kinetoplastid Biol Dis 2004 Sep 17;3(1):3.
    doi: 10.1186/1475-9292-3-3pmc: PMC521498pubmed: 15377385google scholar: lookup
  9. Clutton B. J.. A natural history of domesticated mammals.. .
  10. Desquesnes M, Dia ML. Mechanical transmission of Trypanosoma congolense in cattle by the African tabanid Atylotus agrestis.. Exp Parasitol 2003 Nov-Dec;105(3-4):226-31.
    doi: 10.1016/j.exppara.2003.12.014pubmed: 14990316google scholar: lookup
  11. El Karib A.. Animal trypanosomiasis in the Sudan.. Sudan J. Vet. Sci. Anim. Husb. 1961;2:39–40.
  12. F. A. O.. Statistical Yearbook.. 2014.
  13. Fielding D.. Pack transport with donkeys.. Appr. Technol. J. 1988;15:11–13.
  14. Friedhoff KT, Soulé C. An account on equine babesioses.. Rev Sci Tech 1996 Sep;15(3):1191-201.
    doi: 10.20506/rst.15.3.972pubmed: 9025154google scholar: lookup
  15. Gari FR, Ashenafi H, Tola A, Goddeeris BM, Claes F. Comparative diagnosis of parasitological, serological, and molecular tests in dourine-suspected horses.. Trop Anim Health Prod 2010 Dec;42(8):1649-54.
    doi: 10.1007/s11250-010-9615-1pubmed: 20526860google scholar: lookup
  16. Huang X, Xuan X, Yokoyama N, Xu L, Suzuki H, Sugimoto C, Nagasawa H, Fujisaki K, Igarashi I. High-level expression and purification of a truncated merozoite antigen-2 of Babesia equi in Escherichia coli and its potential for immunodiagnosis.. J Clin Microbiol 2003 Mar;41(3):1147-51.
    doi: 10.1128/JCM.41.3.1147-1151.2003pmc: PMC150322pubmed: 12624044google scholar: lookup
  17. Kappmeyer LS, Perryman LE, Hines SA, Baszler TV, Katz JB, Hennager SG, Knowles DP. Detection of equine antibodies to babesia caballi by recombinant B. caballi rhoptry-associated protein 1 in a competitive-inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.. J Clin Microbiol 1999 Jul;37(7):2285-90.
    doi: 10.1128/JCM.37.7.2285-2290.1999pmc: PMC85139pubmed: 10364599google scholar: lookup
  18. Krause PJ. Babesiosis diagnosis and treatment.. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2003 Spring;3(1):45-51.
    doi: 10.1089/153036603765627451pubmed: 12804380google scholar: lookup
  19. Luckins A. G.. Equine trypanosomiasis.. Equine Vet. Educ. 1994;6:259–262.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3292.1994.tb01149.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  20. Mahmoud MS, Kandil OM, Nasr SM, Hendawy SH, Habeeb SM, Mabrouk DM, Silva MG, Suarez CE. Serological and molecular diagnostic surveys combined with examining hematological profiles suggests increased levels of infection and hematological response of cattle to babesiosis infections compared to native buffaloes in Egypt.. Parasit Vectors 2015 Jun 12;8:319.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-015-0928-9pmc: PMC4467044pubmed: 26062684google scholar: lookup
  21. Mossaad E, Salim B, Suganuma K, Musinguzi P, Hassan MA, Elamin EA, Mohammed GE, Bakhiet AO, Xuan X, Satti RA, Inoue N. Trypanosoma vivax is the second leading cause of camel trypanosomosis in Sudan after Trypanosoma evansi.. Parasit Vectors 2017 Apr 13;10(1):176.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-017-2117-5pmc: PMC5390396pubmed: 28403897google scholar: lookup
  22. Mossaad E, Satti RA, Fadul A, Suganuma K, Salim B, Elamin EA, Musinguzi SP, Xuan X, Inoue N. The incrimination of three trypanosome species in clinically affected German shepherd dogs in Sudan.. Parasitol Res 2017 Nov;116(11):2921-2925.
    doi: 10.1007/s00436-017-5598-4pubmed: 28856450google scholar: lookup
  23. Muieed M. A., Chaudhary Z. I., Shakoori A. R.. Comparative studies on the sensitivity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microscopic examination for the detection of Trypanosoma evansi in horses.. Turk. J. Vet. Anim. Sci. 2010;34:507–512.
  24. Mukiria P., Mdachi R., Thuita J., Mutuku J., Wanjala K., Omolo J., Mulugeta G., Trawford A., Ouma J., Murilla G.. Semi-longitudinal study of trypanosomiasis and its vectors in donkeys (Equus africanus asinus, Fitzinger) in the Lamu archipelago.. Proceedings of the 12th KARI Biennial Scientific Conference 2010.
  25. Munkhjargal T, Sivakumar T, Battsetseg B, Nyamjargal T, Aboulaila M, Purevtseren B, Bayarsaikhan D, Byambaa B, Terkawi MA, Yokoyama N, Igarashi I. Prevalence and genetic diversity of equine piroplasms in Tov province, Mongolia.. Infect Genet Evol 2013 Jun;16:178-85.
    doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2013.02.005pubmed: 23416256google scholar: lookup
  26. Nguyen TT, Motsiri MS, Taioe MO, Mtshali MS, Goto Y, Kawazu S, Thekisoe OM, Inoue N. Application of crude and recombinant ELISAs and immunochromatographic test for serodiagnosis of animal trypanosomosis in the Umkhanyakude district of KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa.. J Vet Med Sci 2015 Feb;77(2):217-20.
    doi: 10.1292/jvms.14-0330pmc: PMC4363025pubmed: 25342634google scholar: lookup
  27. Nguyen TT, Zhou M, Ruttayaporn N, Nguyen QD, Nguyen VK, Goto Y, Suzuki Y, Kawazu S, Inoue N. Diagnostic value of the recombinant tandem repeat antigen TeGM6-4r for surra in water buffaloes.. Vet Parasitol 2014 Mar 17;201(1-2):18-23.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.01.009pubmed: 24524896google scholar: lookup
  28. Njiru ZK, Constantine CC, Guya S, Crowther J, Kiragu JM, Thompson RC, Dávila AM. The use of ITS1 rDNA PCR in detecting pathogenic African trypanosomes.. Parasitol Res 2005 Feb;95(3):186-92.
    doi: 10.1007/s00436-004-1267-5pubmed: 15619129google scholar: lookup
  29. OIE. Manual ofnDiagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals.. 2018; Chapter 3.1.21.
  30. OIE. OIE-Listedndiseases, infections and infestations in force in 2020.. 2020.
  31. Oliver A.. Annual Report.. 1907.
  32. Onyiche TE, Suganuma K, Igarashi I, Yokoyama N, Xuan X, Thekisoe O. A Review on Equine Piroplasmosis: Epidemiology, Vector Ecology, Risk Factors, Host Immunity, Diagnosis and Control.. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019 May 16;16(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ijerph16101736pmc: PMC6572709pubmed: 31100920google scholar: lookup
  33. Persing DH, Conrad PA. Babesiosis: new insights from phylogenetic analysis.. Infect Agents Dis 1995 Dec;4(4):182-95.
    pubmed: 8665084
  34. Rabeh A.. Chairman of the Donkey Carts Trade Union-Mayo-Gebel awliya-Khartoum. Personal Communication.. 2009.
  35. Salim B, Bakheit MA, Kamau J, Nakamura I, Sugimoto C. Molecular epidemiology of camel trypanosomiasis based on ITS1 rDNA and RoTat 1.2 VSG gene in the Sudan.. Parasit Vectors 2011 Mar 4;4:31.
    doi: 10.1186/1756-3305-4-31pmc: PMC3060148pubmed: 21375725google scholar: lookup
  36. Salim B, Bakheit MA, Kamau J, Sugimoto C. Current status of equine piroplasmosis in the Sudan.. Infect Genet Evol 2013 Jun;16:191-9.
    doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2013.02.008pubmed: 23485745google scholar: lookup
  37. Salim B, Bakheit MA, Sugimoto C. Molecular detection of equine trypanosomes in the Sudan.. Vet Parasitol 2014 Mar 1;200(3-4):246-50.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.09.002pubmed: 24439848google scholar: lookup
  38. Salim BO, Hassan SM, Bakheit MA, Alhassan A, Igarashi I, Karanis P, Abdelrahman MB. Diagnosis of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi infections in horses in Sudan using ELISA and PCR.. Parasitol Res 2008 Oct;103(5):1145-50.
    doi: 10.1007/s00436-008-1108-zpubmed: 18618143google scholar: lookup
  39. Seifi H. A., Mohria M., Sardaria K.. A mixed infection of Babesia equi and Babesia caballi in a racing colt: a report from Iran.. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2000;20:858–860.
    doi: 10.1016/S0737-0806(00)80117-3google scholar: lookup
  40. Sowar N. A. M. A.. Investigation of parasites of working donkeys in Khartoum State, Sudan.. 2006.
  41. Starkey P., Starkey M.. Regional and world trends in donkey populations.. 1997; p. 244.
  42. . Statistical Bulletin for Animal Resources No 19.. 2009.
  43. Svendsen E. D.. The Professional Handbook of the Donkey, 3rd ed.. 1997; pp. 166–182.
  44. Uilenberg G.. A case of dourine in a donkey mare in the Sudan.. Tijdschr. Diergeneeskd. 1961;86:130–133.
  45. Verloo D, Holland W, My LN, Thanh NG, Tam PT, Goddeeris B, Vercruysse J, Büscher P. Comparison of serological tests for Trypanosoma evansi natural infections in water buffaloes from north Vietnam.. Vet Parasitol 2000 Sep 20;92(2):87-96.
    doi: 10.1016/S0304-4017(00)00284-3pubmed: 10946132google scholar: lookup
  46. Webb C. E.. Trypanosomiasis of donkeys and mules in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan: Some results of transmission experiments and arsenical treatment.. J. Comp. Pathol. Ther. 1915;28:1–20.
    doi: 10.1016/S0368-1742(15)80001-0google scholar: lookup
  47. Wilson R. T.. A retrospective review of 130 years of equine disease in Sudan.. Res. Rev. J. Vet. Sci. 2017;S1:9–22.

Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Mohammedsalih KM, Mukhtar MM, Ibrahim AIY, Mohammedain IMI, Juma FR, Ali AA, Elamin EM, Bashar A, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Krücken J. High prevalence of Trypanosoma spp. and apparent trypanocidal drugs inefficacy in cattle in Al Radom National Park, Sudan. Sci Rep 2026 Jan 27;16(1):3472.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-37097-7pubmed: 41593347google scholar: lookup
  2. Raftery AG, Gummery L, Garcia K, Mohite D, Capewell P, Sutton DGM. Equine trypanosomiasis, a systematic review and meta-analyses: Prevalence, morbidity and mortality. Equine Vet J 2026 Mar;58(2):291-319.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.70101pubmed: 41131780google scholar: lookup
  3. Subekti DT, Suwanti LT, Sunarno S, Mufasirin M, Suprihati E, Hamid IS, Herupradoto EBA, Sabdoningrum EK. Morphometrics analysis and molecular identification of the Trypanozoon from Indonesia. Open Vet J 2025;15(7):3254-3268.
    doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i7.36pubmed: 41036355google scholar: lookup
  4. Lisulo M, Namangala B, Mweempwa C, Banda M, Chambaro H, Moonga L, Kyoko H, Chihiro S, Picozzi K, Maciver SK, MacLeod ET. Domestic dogs as reservoirs for African trypanosomiasis in Mambwe district, eastern Zambia. Sci Rep 2024 Sep 10;14(1):21062.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-69834-1pubmed: 39256442google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.