Seroprevalence of equine piroplasms in the Republic of Korea.
Abstract: Equine piroplasms include two tick-borne protozoan parasites, Babesia caballi and Theileria equi. Although no clinical equine piroplasmosis has been reported in the Republic of Korea, the possible existence of the disease has been proposed due to a nationwide distribution of the vector ticks. To determine if the antibodies against B. caballi and T. equi were present, 184 sera of horses (Equus caballus) raised in the Republic of Korea from 2007 to 2010 were assessed using cELISA kits. Two (1.1%) out of 184 sera were positive for T. equi, but none were seropositive for B. caballi. Both samples tested positive came from one region (Gyeonggi province). The accuracy of the cELISA was confirmed by PCR using primers specific to the 18S rRNA of T. equi. This study presents for the first time horses infected by T. equi in the Republic of Korea. Since the infection of T. equi occurred in horses raised in the Republic of Korea, further studies with continuous monitoring of the vector ticks for equine piroplasms and appropriate control programs need to be established.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2011-03-01 PubMed ID: 21429670DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.02.020Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research is about the examination of prevalence of equine piroplasms, particularly Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, in horses in Republic of Korea from 2007 to 2010.
Introduction and Objectives
- This study was conducted to ascertain whether antibodies against Babesia caballi (B. caballi) and Theileria equi (T. equi) were present in horses raised in the Republic of Korea between 2007 and 2010.
- These two protozoan parasites, B. caballi and T. equi, are collectively known as equine piroplasms and are primarily transmitted through ticks.
- Although the ticks which carry these parasites have a widespread distribution across the Republic of Korea, no clinical cases of equine piroplasmosis had previously been reported.
Research Methodology
- In order to find evidence for the presence of these parasites, the researchers tested 184 sera of horses from across the country using competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (cELISA) kits.
- These kits can accurately detect the presence of antibodies against the two parasites. Positive results provide evidence of previous or ongoing exposure to the pathogens.
Results of the Study
- The testing revealed that only 1.1% (two out of 184) of the tested sera were positive for T. equi, while none carried antibodies against B. caballi.
- Both T. equi-positive samples originated from the same region, Gyeonggi province.
Confirmation of Test Accuracy
- The findings were corroborated using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique aimed at the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) of T. equi, verifying the accuracy of the cELISA tests.
- This is the first evidence of horses infected with T. equi in the Republic of Korea.
Conclusion and Recommendations
- Given the fact that T. equi infection is occurring in horses in the Republic of Korea, the researchers recommend further studies and continuous monitoring of the vector ticks for equine piroplasms.
- This will help in early detection and prevention of the disease spread. In addition, appropriate control programs should be established to curb the prevalence of the parasites.
Cite This Article
APA
Seo MG, Yun SH, Choi SK, Cho GJ, Park YS, Kwon OD, Cho KH, Kim TH, Jeong KS, Park SJ, Kwon YS, Kwak D.
(2011).
Seroprevalence of equine piroplasms in the Republic of Korea.
Vet Parasitol, 179(1-3), 224-226.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.02.020 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Republic of Korea.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies, Protozoan / blood
- Babesiosis / epidemiology
- Babesiosis / veterinary
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Republic of Korea / epidemiology
- Seasons
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Tirosh-Levy S, Gottlieb Y, Fry LM, Knowles DP, Steinman A. Twenty Years of Equine Piroplasmosis Research: Global Distribution, Molecular Diagnosis, and Phylogeny. Pathogens 2020 Nov 8;9(11).
- Onyiche TE, Taioe MO, Molefe NI, Biu AA, Luka J, Omeh IJ, Yokoyama N, Thekisoe O. Equine piroplasmosis: an insight into global exposure of equids from 1990 to 2019 by systematic review and meta-analysis. Parasitology 2020 Nov;147(13):1411-1424.
- Onyiche TE, Suganuma K, Igarashi I, Yokoyama N, Xuan X, Thekisoe O. A Review on Equine Piroplasmosis: Epidemiology, Vector Ecology, Risk Factors, Host Immunity, Diagnosis and Control. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019 May 16;16(10).
- Lee M, Seo MG, Lee SH, Ouh IO, Kim YH, Kim JK, Goo YK, Rhee MH, Kim TH, Kwon OD, Kwak D. Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of tick-borne pathogens in wild Korean water deer and farmed elk in Gyeongbuk and Gangwon Provinces of Korea. J Vet Med Sci 2018 Sep 26;80(9):1473-1478.
- Montes Cortés MG, Fernández-García JL, Habela Martínez-Estéllez MÁ. Seroprevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in horses in Spain. Parasite 2017;24:14.
- Guidi E, Pradier S, Lebert I, Leblond A. Piroplasmosis in an endemic area: analysis of the risk factors and their implications in the control of Theileriosis and Babesiosis in horses. Parasitol Res 2015 Jan;114(1):71-83.
- Wang M, Guo W, Igarashi I, Xuan X, Wang X, Xiang W, Jia H. Epidemiological investigation of equine piroplasmosis in China by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. J Vet Med Sci 2014 Apr;76(4):549-52.
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