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Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)2021; 10(4); doi: 10.3390/pathogens10040445

Serological and Molecular Prevalence of Babesia caballi in Apparently Healthy Horses in Israel.

Abstract: Babesia caballi is a tick-borne hemoparasite of equines and one of the causative agents of equine piroplasmosis, which poses a great concern for the equine industry regarding animal welfare and international horse movement. The parasite is endemic in Israel; however, its seroprevalence in the area was never evaluated due to antigenic heterogenicity in the gene used in the commercially available kit. Blood samples were collected from 257 horses at 19 farms throughout the country and screened for the presence of anti-B. caballi antibodies via an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and for the presence of parasite DNA by nested PCR. The seroprevalence of B. caballi was 69.6% and its molecular prevalence was 9.7%. The geographical area, horse's sex, breed, housing, exposure to ticks, and specifically to Hyalomma marginatum, and co-infection with Theileria equi were found to be significantly associated with serologic exposure in univariable analysis, while the geographical area and horses' sex remained significant in the multivariable analysis. The results of this study demonstrate a high level of exposure to B. caballi and identify important risk factors for infection. The difference between the serological and molecular prevalence, probably related to parasite clearance, is also highlighted.
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Publication Date: 2021-04-08 PubMed ID: 33917822PubMed Central: PMC8068206DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10040445Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The study investigates the prevalence of the parasite Babesia caballi in horses in Israel using both serological (antibody presence) and molecular (DNA) testing. The research found a high rate of exposure and identified key risk factors for the parasite’s presence.

Introduction to Babesia caballi

  • Babesia caballi is a parasite that is transmitted by ticks and lives in the blood of horses
  • It is one of the agents responsible for equine piroplasmosis, a disease that seriously affects the health of horses and the horse industry
  • The disease poses major challenges for horse welfare and international transportation of horses
  • While it is already known that the parasite is widespread in Israel, the specific prevalence has not been previously researched because of antigenic heterogeneity, which refers to variations in the genes used in commercially available testing kits

Methodology of the Study

  • Researchers collected blood samples from 257 horses from 19 farms around Israel
  • All samples were screened for both the presence of anti-Babesia caballi antibodies (using an Indirect Immunofluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT)) and for the incidence of the parasite’s DNA via a nested PCR test

Results of the Research

  • Out of all horses, 69.6% were found to have antibodies, suggesting previous exposure to the parasite
  • The molecular prevalence, indicating a current infection, was observed to be significantly lower at 9.7%

      • Factor Analysis

      • The study sought to identify variables that had a significant impact on a horse’s exposure to Babesia caballi
      • The following factors were found to be significant: geographical area, horse’s sex, breed, type of housing, exposure to ticks (particularly to the specific ticks that spread Babesia caballi), and co-infection with other organisms
      • However, when multiple variables were considered at once, only the geographical area where the horse lived and the horse’s sex remained significant predictors of infection

      Conclusion and Implications

      • The study revealed a high level of previous exposure to Babesia caballi among the horses tested in Israel
      • The discrepancy between the serological and molecular prevalence may be due to the horses’ immune systems clearing the parasite over time
      • Identifying the principal risk factors of infection helps us understand the epidemiology of the disease and could assist in creating intervention measures to control its spread

Cite This Article

APA
Tirosh-Levy S, Mazuz ML, Savitsky I, Pinkas D, Gottlieb Y, Steinman A. (2021). Serological and Molecular Prevalence of Babesia caballi in Apparently Healthy Horses in Israel. Pathogens, 10(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10040445

Publication

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 2076-0817
NlmUniqueID: 101596317
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 4

Researcher Affiliations

Tirosh-Levy, Sharon
  • Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
  • Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Beit Dagan 50250, Israel.
Mazuz, Monica L
  • Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Beit Dagan 50250, Israel.
Savitsky, Igor
  • Division of Parasitology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, Beit Dagan 50250, Israel.
Pinkas, Dana
  • Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
Gottlieb, Yuval
  • Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
Steinman, Amir
  • Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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