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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet J / Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Babesia caba...
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)2012; 195(2); 172-178; doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.06.012

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Babesia caballi and Theileria equi infection in equids.

Abstract: A cross-sectional study was carried out on equids (horses, mules and donkeys) in Andalusia, Southern Spain, to assess the level of exposure to equine piroplasmosis and to investigate risk factors associated with these infections. At least one animal seropositive for Theileria equi and/or Babesia caballi was detected in 222/380 (58.4%) herds sampled by competitive inhibition ELISAs. The seroprevalences for B. caballi and T. equi were 13.2% and 56.1%, respectively; there was serological evidence of co-circulation of both piroplasms in 10.8% of herds. Antibodies against equine piroplasms were detected in 286/537 (53.3%) animals; 61 (11.4%) were seropositive for B. caballi, 270 (50.3%) were seropositive for T. equi and 24 (8.4%) were seropositive for both T. equi and B. caballi. There was a significantly higher seroprevalence of B. caballi in mules (32.1%) compared with donkeys (17.0%) and horses (7.9%), and a significantly higher seroprevalence of T. equi in mules (66.1%) in comparison with horses (48.6%), but not donkeys (47.2%). There were significant differences in prevalence of both piroplasms among locations; the seroprevalence of B. caballi ranged from 0 to 22.5%, while the seropositivity to T. equi ranged from 26.7 to 63.3%. A multiple logistic regression model indicated that the risk factors associated with a higher T. equi seroprevalence were increased age, presence of ticks and vaccination against other diseases. Risk factors associated with a higher seroprevalence of B. caballi were species (mules compared to horses), entry of horses in the last 6months, presence of ticks and presence of shelter. The findings indicate widespread exposure to equine piroplasmosis in Southern Spain.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2012-07-10 PubMed ID: 22784418DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.06.012Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The article presents a research study about the prevalence of disease caused by Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in equids, like horses, mules and donkeys in Andalusia, Southern Spain. Also, it identifies the risk factors associated with those infections.

Introduction and Methodology

  • The study is cross-sectional, implying that it observes a defined population at one specific point in time.
  • The aim of this research was to investigate the level of exposure to diseases called equine piroplasmosis, which are caused by the ticks carrying B. caballi and T. equi.
  • The researchers used competitive inhibition ELISAs, a method for measuring the concentration of the infectious agents in the blood, and found at least one animal with either or both diseases in 58.4 % of the sampled herds.

Findings: Seroprevalences

  • The prevalence of B. caballi was 13.2% while that of T. equi was much higher at 56.1%. In 10.8% of herds, both pathogens were detected.
  • 53.3% of animals were found to have equine piroplasmosis antibodies, indicating an infection caused by either B. caballi, T. equi or both.
  • A significantly higher prevalence of B. caballi was detected in mules than in horses or donkeys. Similarly, there was a significantly higher prevalence of T. equi in mules than in horses, but not than in donkeys.

Differences in Prevalence Based on Location and Species

  • The researchers found significant differences in both the infections among different locations. While the prevalence of B. caballi ranged from 0 to 22.5%, that of T. equi ranged from 26.7% to 63.3%.
  • The prevalence of B. caballi was found to be higher in mules compared to horses, and the prevalence of T. equi was found to be higher in older animals, those exposed to ticks, and those vaccinated against other diseases.

Risk Factors

  • The study suggests increased age, presence of ticks, and vaccination against other diseases as risk factors for a higher T. equi prevalence.
  • For B. caballi, species (specifically mules compared to horses), entry of new horses in the past six months, presence of ticks, and presence of shelter were identified as risk factors.

Conclusion

  • The researchers conclude that there is widespread exposure to equine piroplasmosis in Southern Spain and various risk factors contribute towards the prevalence of these diseases.

Cite This Article

APA
García-Bocanegra I, Arenas-Montes A, Hernández E, Adaszek L, Carbonero A, Almería S, Jaén-Téllez JA, Gutiérrez-Palomino P, Arenas A. (2012). Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Babesia caballi and Theileria equi infection in equids. Vet J, 195(2), 172-178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.06.012

Publication

Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
ISSN: 1532-2971
NlmUniqueID: 9706281
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 195
Issue: 2
Pages: 172-178
PII: S1090-0233(12)00244-4

Researcher Affiliations

García-Bocanegra, Ignacio
  • Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Córdoba, Agrifood Excellence International Campus ceiA3, 14071 Córdoba, Spain. v62garbo@uco.es
Arenas-Montes, Antonio
    Hernández, Esther
      Adaszek, Lukasz
        Carbonero, Alfonso
          Almería, Sonia
            Jaén-Téllez, Juan Antonio
              Gutiérrez-Palomino, Pedro
                Arenas, Antonio

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Animals
                  • Babesia / classification
                  • Babesia / isolation & purification
                  • Babesiosis / epidemiology
                  • Babesiosis / parasitology
                  • Babesiosis / veterinary
                  • Cross-Sectional Studies
                  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
                  • Horses
                  • Risk Factors
                  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
                  • Spain / epidemiology
                  • Theileria / classification
                  • Theileria / isolation & purification
                  • Theileriasis / epidemiology
                  • Theileriasis / parasitology

                  Citations

                  This article has been cited 29 times.
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