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Home / Equine Research Bank / Iran J Parasitol / Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Theileria equi Infection...
Iranian journal of parasitology2018; 12(4); 597-605;

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Theileria equi Infection in Equines from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan.

Abstract: is a tick borne protozoan parasite which causes piroplasmosis among equines worldwide. The present study was aimed to determine seroprevalence of in donkeys, horses, and mules from two equine populated districts (Peshawar and Charsadda) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. Methods: A total of 393 equine (195 horses, 194 donkeys and 4 mules) serum samples were collected from five and four randomly selected localities in Charsadda (n = 193) and Peshawar (n = 200), respectively. The presence of antibodies to was determined using a commercially available competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: An overall seroprevalence of 38.2% (n=150) was observed among all the tested animals suggesting a higher seropositivity among equids belonging to Charsada (50.3%) as compared to Peshawar (27.5%). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that being a donkey (OR 2.94), having tick infestation (OR 4.32), history of voiding red (i.e., blood containing) urine (OR 3.97) and anemia (OR 2.1) were the factors significantly associated with the seroprevalence of For animals with higher anti- antibody titers, a strong association of seroprevalence for was recorded with species, age, sex, tick infestation, anemia and history of hematuria. Conclusions: The present study indicates a high level of exposure of working equids to in KPK region, Pakistan. Future studies should focus on tick vector identification and other factors responsible for spread of the disease.
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Publication Date: 2018-01-11 PubMed ID: 29317885PubMed Central: PMC5756310
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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.

This research assesses the prevalence and risk factors of Theileria equi, a parasite causing piroplasmosis, in domestic equine species in two regions of Pakistan, uncovering a high level of exposure and recommending further studies for effective management and prevention.

Background and Objectives

  • Theileria equi is a tick-borne protozoan parasite known to cause Piroplasmosis, a disease affecting equines globally. This parasite is transmitted through the bite of infected ticks.
  • The aim of the study was to examine the seroprevalence, or the level of a pathogen in a population as measured in blood serum, of Theileria equi in various equine species — horses, mules, and donkeys — across two districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan.

Methods

  • Researchers collected a total of 393 serum samples from horses, donkeys, and mules in the selected regions.
  • The samples were tested for the presence of Theileria equi antibodies using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

  • The study found an overall seroprevalence rate of 38.2%, indicating that a substantial portion of the equine population in these regions has been exposed to Theileria equi.
  • Higher seropositivity was found in equines from Charsada (50.3%) compared to those from Peshawar (27.5%).
  • Risk factors that correlated significantly with infection included:
    • Being a donkey (with donkeys having an almost 3 times higher risk of exposure than other equines)
    • Experiencing tick infestation
    • Having a history of voiding red (blood-containing) urine
    • Experiencing anemia

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • The findings revealed a high level of exposure to Theileria equi among working equines in the KPK region of Pakistan.
  • This points to a need for future research focused on identifying tick vectors and other factors that could be aiding the spread of the disease to further understand it and develop effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Afridi MJK, Mian AH, Saqib M, Abbas G, Ali J, Mansoor MK, Sial AUR, Rasheed I, Hussain MH. (2018). Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Theileria equi Infection in Equines from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. Iran J Parasitol, 12(4), 597-605.

Publication

Iranian journal of parasitology
ISSN: 1735-7020
NlmUniqueID: 101464309
Country: Iran
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 4
Pages: 597-605

Researcher Affiliations

Afridi, Muhammad Jamal Khan
  • Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Mian, Abdul Hafeez
  • Dept. of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
Saqib, Muhammad
  • Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Abbas, Ghazanfar
  • Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Ali, Javid
  • Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan.
Mansoor, Muhammad Khalid
  • Animal Health Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Muscat, Oman.
Sial, Awais Ur Rahman
  • Dept. of Clinical Studies, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Rasheed, Imaad
  • Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Hussain, Muhammad Hammad
  • Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
  • Animal Health Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Muscat, Oman.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Conflict of interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
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