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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(8); doi: 10.3390/ani12080999

Seroprevalence of Tick-Borne Infections in Horses from Northern Italy.

Abstract: Tick-borne diseases in horses are considered an emergent problem worldwide; the geographical redistribution of ticks, due to climatic and ecological changes, and the movements of infected horses between different nations play important roles in the spread of tick-borne diseases affecting these hosts. In this study, a survey was planned to estimate the seroprevalence of the Gram-negative bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum and the piroplasmid protozoa Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in Italian horses, as well as to evaluate possible risk factors associated with seropositive cases. Serum samples from 261 horses reared in northern Italy were collected and analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test for the detection of A. phagocytophilum-, B. caballi- and T. equi-specific antibodies. The overall seroprevalence to at least one of the investigated pathogens was 51%; sixty-one horses were seropositive to A. phagocytophilum (23.4%), forty-nine to B. caballi and the same number to T. equi (18.8% each). Seropositivity for more than one of the investigated agents was detected in thirty-two horses and the most common co-infection was observed between B. caballi and T. equi (5.7%). A significant risk factor for all the three pathogens was the elevation above sea level; indeed, the risk of infection was higher with an increase and decrease in elevation for A. phagocytophilum and for B. caballi and T. equi, respectively. Tick control in horses is strongly recommended considering the high seroprevalence values of transmitted pathogens.
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Publication Date: 2022-04-12 PubMed ID: 35454246PubMed Central: PMC9028684DOI: 10.3390/ani12080999Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research study investigates the prevalence of tick-borne infections in horses in Northern Italy and identifies potential risk factors for these diseases. The most common infections were Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia caballi, and Theileria equi, with over half of the studied horses found to be carrying at least one of these pathogens.

Methodology

  • The study involved a survey designed to estimate the presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, a Gram-negative bacterium, and two types of piroplasmid protozoa, Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, in horses in Italy.
  • Serum samples were collected from 261 horses raised in northern Italy and were analyzed using an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test.
  • This test was utilized in order to detect the presence of specific antibodies to A. phagocytophilum, B. caballi and T. equi.

Findings

  • The study found that at least half (51%) of the horses were seropositive for at least one of the pathogens in question.
  • Sixty-one horses (23.4%) tested positive for A. phagocytophilum, forty-nine horses (18.8%) tested positive for B. caballi and an equal number for T. equi.
  • In addition, multiple infections were not uncommon, with the most frequent co-infections observed between B. caballi and T. equi.
  • The elevation above sea level at which the horses were reared was identified as a significant factor influencing the prevalence of these pathogens in the horse population.
  • Specifically, the risk of A. phagocytophilum infection was found to increase with higher elevations, while the risk of infection with B. caballi and T. equi was found to be greater at lower elevations.

Implications

  • This study emphasizes the growing issue of tick-borne diseases in horses.
  • Shifts in tick populations due to climate change and ecological variations, as well as the movement of infected horses between nations contribute to the spread of these diseases.
  • The study’s findings suggest that a more aggressive approach to tick control in horses is required.
  • This aggressive approach is especially pertinent considering the high prevalence of pathogens such as A. phagocytophilum, B. caballi and T. equi found in the studied horse populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Villa L, Gazzonis AL, Allievi C, De Maria C, Persichetti MF, Caracappa G, Zanzani SA, Manfredi MT. (2022). Seroprevalence of Tick-Borne Infections in Horses from Northern Italy. Animals (Basel), 12(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12080999

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 8

Researcher Affiliations

Villa, Luca
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Dell' Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
Gazzonis, Alessia Libera
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Dell' Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
Allievi, Carolina
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Dell' Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
De Maria, Claudia
  • Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90100 Palermo, Italy.
Persichetti, Maria Flaminia
  • Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90100 Palermo, Italy.
Caracappa, Giulia
  • Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90100 Palermo, Italy.
Zanzani, Sergio Aurelio
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Dell' Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
Manfredi, Maria Teresa
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università Degli Studi di Milano, Via Dell' Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Gupta KK, Gupta N, Kumar S, Srivastava M, Kumar P. Equine piroplasmosis: an emerging tick-borne threat to equine health. Trop Anim Health Prod 2026 Jan 5;58(1):29.
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