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Home / Equine Research Bank / Pathogens / Spatial and Temporal Circulation of Babesia caballi and Thei...
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)2022; 11(2); 227; doi: 10.3390/pathogens11020227

Spatial and Temporal Circulation of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in France Based on Seven Years of Serological Data.

Abstract: Caused by two blood parasites, and , equine piroplasmosis is a tick-borne disease that poses major health and economic issues for the equine industry. Our objective was to gain insight into the spatio-temporal variations of parasite circulation in France, where the disease is known to be enzootic, but has been the subject of few studies. Seroprevalence was assessed for each parasite thanks to 16,127 equine sera obtained between 1997 and 2003 from all over France and analysed through complement fixation tests. Results indicated that 13.2% (5-27% depending on the region) of horses were seropositive for and 9.5% (3-25%) for . Regardless of the year, horses from the southern regions of France were the most affected by or infection, while the proportion of horses having antibodies against increased over time. These results highlight the heterogeneity of the circulation of both piroplasms, which may be linked with ecological diversity and vector distribution. Our data provide baseline information regarding the sero-epidemiology of and infection in horses in France, making it now possible to select regions for future studies on risk factors, and design and implement effective targeted measures against equine piroplasms.
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Publication Date: 2022-02-09 PubMed ID: 35215171PubMed Central: PMC8876836DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11020227Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research article revolves around understanding the variations in circulation of parasites Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, the causes of equine piroplasmosis, across France. The study uses seven years of serological data to explore the distribution of the parasites, noting a strong prevalence in Southern regions and increased antibodies over time.

Objective and Methodology

  • The core objective of the research was to gain an understanding of spatial and temporal variations of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in France. These two blood parasites cause equine piroplasmosis—a tick-borne disease exacting significant health and financial burdens on the equine industry.
  • The researchers obtained and studied seroprevalence data from 16,127 equine sera collected between 1997 and 2003 across France. The assessment method used was the complement fixation test.

Findings and Observations

  • The findings indicated that 13.2% of horses, varying from 5-27% across different regions, were seropositive for Babesia caballi. Similarly, 9.5% of horses, ranging from 3-25% across distinct regions, were seropositive for Theileria equi.
  • Irrespective of the year, it was observed that horses from the southern regions of France were the most affected by infections of Babesia caballi or Theileria equi.
  • There was also noticed an increase over time in the proportion of horses having antibodies against these parasites. This suggests that the prevalence of the disease has been on the rise.

Implications of the Study

  • The results of this research highlight a heterogeneity in the circulation of both piroplasms Babesia caballi and Theileria equi—suggesting a potential linkage with ecological diversity and vector distribution.
  • The findings serve as baseline information concerning the sero-epidemiology of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi infections in horses across France.
  • The detailed understanding of the parasite circulation obtained from this study will be instrumental for future research on risk factors in specific regions, and in the design and implementation of targeted measures to control equine piroplasms.

Cite This Article

APA
Nadal C, Marsot M, Le Metayer G, Boireau P, Guillot J, Bonnet SI. (2022). Spatial and Temporal Circulation of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in France Based on Seven Years of Serological Data. Pathogens, 11(2), 227. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11020227

Publication

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 2076-0817
NlmUniqueID: 101596317
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 2
PII: 227

Researcher Affiliations

Nadal, Clémence
  • Epidemiology Unit, Laboratory for Animal Health, University Paris Est, ANSES, 94700 Paris, France.
  • ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratory for Animal Health, 94700 Paris, France.
Marsot, Maud
  • Epidemiology Unit, Laboratory for Animal Health, University Paris Est, ANSES, 94700 Paris, France.
Le Metayer, Gaël
  • Parasitology Department, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700 Paris, France.
  • Veterinary Clinic of La Cère, 15800 Polminhac, France.
Boireau, Pascal
  • Laboratory for Animal Health, University Paris Est, ANSES, 94700 Paris, France.
Guillot, Jacques
  • Parasitology Department, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 94700 Paris, France.
  • Dermatology Parasitology Mycology Departement, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Nantes, Oniris, 44307 Nantes, France.
Bonnet, Sarah I
  • ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratory for Animal Health, 94700 Paris, France.

Grant Funding

  • XX / Institut Franu00e7ais du Cheval et de l'Equitation (IFCE)
  • XX / Fonds Eperon

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
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