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Parasitology research1994; 80(4); 297-302; doi: 10.1007/BF02351869

The development of Babesia (Theileria) equi (Laveran, 1901) in the gut and the haemolymph of the vector ticks, Hyalomma species.

Abstract: The development of the piroplasm Babesia equi was studied by light microscopy in the gut and the haemolymph of three different Hyalomma species during and after the nymphs had engorged on parasitaemic horses. The stock of B. equi used was isolated from a horse imported from Turkmenistan (CIS) in 1991. The existence of gamogony was identified by the occurrence of gamonts and gametes in the gut contents of the nymphs at between 3 and 4 days after infestation of the nymphs, before the ticks dropped off the experimentally infected horses. Zygotes and kinetes were observed in the intestinal cells from day 4 until day 7 after infestation i.e. 2 days prior to engorgement until repletion of the nymphs. Simultaneously, kinetes could also be seen in the haemolymph of engorged nymphs. The morphology and the sequence of the developmental stages of B. equi identified in the gut and the haemolymph of the vector ticks were identical in all three Hyalomma species. They resembled typical developmental stages of bovine Theileria species. Because of the close similarity of the developmental cycle of B. equi in Hyalomma species to the life cycle of Theileria species and due to the differences to the other Babesia species, a discussion about classifying B. equi into the family of Theileriidae now seems to be justified.
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Publication Date: 1994-01-01 PubMed ID: 8073015DOI: 10.1007/BF02351869Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 study investigates the development of the parasite Babesia equi in various stages and parts of Hyalomma ticks who had fed on infected horses. The findings suggest that the developmental process of this parasite mirrors that of Theileria species, another type of parasite, prompting discussion on whether Babesia equi should be reclassified within the Theileriidae family.

Understanding the Research

  • The research focused on the protozoan parasite Babesia equi, which is seen to cause equine piroplasmosis, a disease often found in horses. The development of this parasite was observed via light microscopy in the gut and the haemolymph (a fluid equivalent to blood in vertebrates) of Hyalomma tick species, which the team used as vectors (organisms that transmit pathogens).
  • The study followed the ticks’ nymph stage, an intermediary period between larvae and adulthood. These nymphs fed on horses carrying the B. equi parasite in their blood, thus providing the researchers with an opportunity to observe the parasite’s development and transition within its vector host.

Key Findings

  • The researchers identified the existence of “gamogony” in the concerned parasite. Gamogony is a stage in a protozoan’s life cycle when sexual reproduction occurs. The evidence of this stage was provided by the appearance of gamonts and gametes in the gut content of tick nymphs three to four days post infestation.
  • As the sexual cycle of protozoa progressed, different cell stages, such as zygotes and kinetes (mobile gametes in protozoan), were detected in the intestinal cells of the ticks from day four to day seven following infestation. During this same period, kinetes were also found in the nymph’s haemolymph.
  • The patterns of morphological changes and progression in developmental stages of B. equi in both the gut and haemolymph were found to be identical across all three different Hyalomma species studied.
  • The developmental stages of B. equi observed were compared to the typical development pattern of bovine Theileria species, suggesting possible similarities in the lifecycles of these two distinct parasites.

Implications of the Study

  • The close resemblance between the developmental cycle of B. equi in Hyalomma ticks and that of Theileria species, along with considerable differences noted with other Babesia species, has led to discussions on potential reclassification of B. equi into the family of Theileriidae from its existing classification.
  • This proposed reclassification, based on lifecycle similarities, could help in a better understanding of B. equi’s biology and contribute to the development of more effective strategies for disease prevention and control for equine piroplasmosis.

Cite This Article

APA
Zapf F, Schein E. (1994). The development of Babesia (Theileria) equi (Laveran, 1901) in the gut and the haemolymph of the vector ticks, Hyalomma species. Parasitol Res, 80(4), 297-302. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02351869

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 0932-0113
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 80
Issue: 4
Pages: 297-302

Researcher Affiliations

Zapf, F
  • Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Free University of Berlin, Germany.
Schein, E

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Arachnid Vectors / parasitology
    • Babesia / growth & development
    • Digestive System / parasitology
    • Hemolymph / parasitology
    • Horses / parasitology
    • Ticks / parasitology

    References

    This article includes 13 references
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    Citations

    This article has been cited 11 times.
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    2. Idoko IS, Edeh RE, Adamu AM, Machunga-Mambula S, Okubanjo OO, Balogun EO, Adamu S, Johnson W, Kappmeyer L, Mousel M, Ueti MW. Molecular and Serological Detection of Piroplasms in Horses from Nigeria. Pathogens 2021 Apr 23;10(5).
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