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Veterinary parasitology2010; 169(3-4); 273-278; doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.01.011

Seroprevalence of equine piroplasms and host-related factors associated with infection in Greece.

Abstract: Serum samples were collected from a total of 544 equids that included 524 horses, 13 mules, and 7 ponies from various regions of mainland Greece and were examined by competitive-inhibition ELISA (cELISA) to evaluate the level of exposure of Greek equids to Theileria (Babesia) equi and/or Babesia caballi, the causative agents of piroplasmosis. Association between seropositivity and host-related factors of species, gender, age, origin, activity and location were investigated. The overall seroprevalence was 11.6% (9.1-14.6%) with 95% confidence limit. The seroprevalence for T. equi and B. caballi was found to be 11% (8.6-14%) and 2.2% (1.2-3.9%), respectively. The animal-related factors significantly linked with seropositivity were the species, activities of farming, racing, recreation, and geographic location in Attica, Macedonia, Peloponnese and Thessaly region (p<0.05). The relative risks for the presence of T. equi, B. caballi and mixed infection in mules compared to horses was 8.39, 33.58 and 40.31, respectively. The infection level for T. equi, B. caballi and mixed infection were significantly higher in farm equids than in racing equids (p<0.05). Also, the rate of infection of T. equi was higher in farm equids than recreational equids (p<0.05). The relative risk of T. equi infection between farming equids and equids used only for recreation activity was 3.25-1, while the relative risk of B. caballi infection was 0.14-1 for racing animals relative to recreation animals. The region with the highest level of infection to both parasites was Thessaly (38.8% T. equi and 6.1% B. caballi), followed by Peloponnese (10.4% T. equi and 3.9% B. caballi), Attica region (8.3% T. equi and 0.6% B. caballi) and finally Macedonia the region with the lowest prevalence (6.6% T. equi and 4.4% B. caballi). A higher seroprevalence rate was found among local animals compared to imported equids, indicating that equine piroplasm infection is enzootic in Greece. T. equi seroprevalence was significantly different and higher among increasing age groups of equids, suggesting persistent infections or lower transmission levels whereby animals may need to be exposed longer before acquiring the infection. Competent tick vectors Rhipicephalus bursa and Rhipicephalus sanguineus for the transmission of equine piroplasmosis were recovered from horses and dogs, respectively.
(c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2010-01-20 PubMed ID: 20138434DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.01.011Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article discusses a study conducted in Greece to evaluate the exposure level of equine piroplasmosis, a disease caused by Theileria (Babesia) equi and Babesia caballi, in equids (horses, mules, and ponies). It further explores the correlation between the disease’s prevalence and various host-related factors, such as species, gender, age, origin, activity, and location.

Methodology

  • The study used serum samples from a total of 544 equids consisting of 524 horses, 13 mules, and 7 ponies from several regions across Greece’s mainland.
  • The method applied for examining the samples was competitive-inhibition ELISA (cELISA) to evaluate the equids’ exposure levels to the causative agents of piroplasmosis, T. equi and B. caballi.

Findings

  • The overall seroprevalence (the level of a pathogen in a population, as measured in blood serum) was 11.6%.
  • Several host-related factors were significantly associated with seropositivity, including the species of the animal, the activities including farming, racing, recreation, and geographical location in Attica, Macedonia, Peloponnese, and Thessaly region.
  • Mules were found to have a significantly higher relative risk for the presence of T. equi, B. caballi, and mixed infections compared to horses.
  • Farm equids had a higher infection level for T. equi, B. caballi, and mixed infections than racing or recreational ones.
  • Various regions showed different levels of infection, with Thessaly presenting the highest levels of both parasites, followed by Peloponnese, Attica region, and lastly, Macedonia.

Implications

  • The study found a higher seroprevalence rate among local animals compared to imported equids, indicating that equine piroplasm infection is endemic in Greece.
  • The prevalence of T. equi was significantly different and higher among increasing age groups of equids, suggesting that the infections may be persistent, or animals might need prolonged exposure before acquiring the infection.
  • This research is crucial as it indicates the presence of competent tick vectors (Rhipicephalus bursa and Rhipicephalus sanguineus) that can transmit equine piroplasmosis from horses and dogs, respectively, in the tested regions.

Cite This Article

APA
Kouam MK, Kantzoura V, Gajadhar AA, Theis JH, Papadopoulos E, Theodoropoulos G. (2010). Seroprevalence of equine piroplasms and host-related factors associated with infection in Greece. Vet Parasitol, 169(3-4), 273-278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.01.011

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 1873-2550
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 169
Issue: 3-4
Pages: 273-278

Researcher Affiliations

Kouam, Marc K
  • Department of Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals, Faculty of Animal Science and Hydrobiology, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos, Votanikos, Athens 11855, Greece.
Kantzoura, Vaia
    Gajadhar, Alvin A
      Theis, Jerold H
        Papadopoulos, Elias
          Theodoropoulos, Georgios

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Babesia / immunology
            • Babesia / isolation & purification
            • Babesiosis / blood
            • Babesiosis / epidemiology
            • Babesiosis / veterinary
            • Female
            • Greece / epidemiology
            • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
            • Horse Diseases / parasitology
            • Horses
            • Male
            • Risk Factors
            • Seroepidemiologic Studies

            Citations

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