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Acta veterinaria Hungarica2008; 55(4); 491-500; doi: 10.1556/AVet.55.2007.4.8

Serological evidence for Babesia canis infection of horses and an endemic focus of B. caballi in Hungary.

Abstract: In order to evaluate the seroconversion of horses to Babesia caballi and B. canis in Hungary, blood samples were collected from 371 animals on 23 different locations of the country. The presence of antibodies to B. caballi was screened with a competitive ELISA. All 29 positive samples came from one region (the Hortobágy). The prevalence of infection did not show correlation with sexes, and reached 100% in the age group of 2-5 years. Babesia canis-specific antibodies were demonstrated by IFAT in 6.74% of animals kept in 7 regions. The titres were low or medium level (1:40 to 1:160), indicating that the horses had previously been exposed to this piroplasm, but their infection must have been limited. The highest seropositivity rate was observed in the age group of 3-4 years, and males (stallions and geldings) were significantly more frequently infected than females. However, neither B. caballi nor B. canis could be identified in the peripheral blood samples of infected horses by PCR. Since most of the B. caballi-positive horses remained negative in the B. canis IFAT, whereas seroconversion solely to B. canis was detected in several regions of the country, serological cross-reaction between the two species can be discounted. This is the first serological evidence of horses being naturally infected with B. canis, supporting the view that piroplasms are less host specific than previously thought.
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Publication Date: 2008-02-19 PubMed ID: 18277708DOI: 10.1556/AVet.55.2007.4.8Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 research paper investigates the infection of horses with two Babesia species—B. caballi and B. canis—in Hungary. From multiple locations across the country, researchers collected blood samples from 371 horses to examine the presence of antibodies to these two species. Results suggested that B. caballi was region-specific, while the presence of B. canis was broader. However, the researchers did not find any instances of the two species in the horses’ blood samples through PCR testing.

Methodology

  • The study involved analysis of blood samples collected from 371 horses across 23 different locations in Hungary to investigate exposure to B. caballi and B. canis.
  • The detection of antibodies to B. caballi was done using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  • The antibodies specific to B. canis were identified through an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT).

Findings

  • Among the sampled horses, all 29 positive for B. caballi came from one particular region called Hortobágy, indicating a regional concentration of this infection.
  • The infection prevalence revealed no correlation with the horses’ sex but was found 100% present in 2-5-year-old horses for B. caballi.
  • For B. canis, antibodies were detected in 6.74% of the horses from 7 regions, with low to medium titres (1:40 to 1:160), suggesting a previous exposure to the piroplasm.
  • The most prevalent B. canis infections were seen in 3-4-year-old horses, with males more frequently infected than females.

PCR Tests and Cross-Reaction

  • PCR tests conducted on the infected blood samples produced negative results for both B. caballi and B. canis.
  • Most of the B. caballi-positive horses tested negative for the B. canis IFAT, and cross-reactivity between the two species was ruled out as B. canis alone was also detected in several regions.

Implications

  • The study underscores the first serological evidence of horses being naturally infected with B. canis, thereby challenging the belief that piroplasms are highly host-specific.
  • The findings suggest that B. caballi infections are more region-specific, while B. canis can be found across multiple locations.

Cite This Article

APA
Hornok S, Edelhofer R, Földvári G, Joachim A, Farkas R. (2008). Serological evidence for Babesia canis infection of horses and an endemic focus of B. caballi in Hungary. Acta Vet Hung, 55(4), 491-500. https://doi.org/10.1556/AVet.55.2007.4.8

Publication

Acta veterinaria Hungarica
ISSN: 0236-6290
NlmUniqueID: 8406376
Country: Hungary
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 4
Pages: 491-500

Researcher Affiliations

Hornok, S
  • Department of Parasitology and Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, H-1078 Budapest, István u. 2, Hungary. Hornok.Sandor@aotk.szie.hu
Edelhofer, Renate
    Földvári, G
      Joachim, Anja
        Farkas, R

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Babesia / classification
          • Babesia / isolation & purification
          • Babesiosis / blood
          • Babesiosis / epidemiology
          • Babesiosis / parasitology
          • Babesiosis / veterinary
          • Endemic Diseases / veterinary
          • Horse Diseases / blood
          • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
          • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
          • Horses
          • Hungary / epidemiology

          Citations

          This article has been cited 11 times.
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