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Ticks and tick-borne diseases2019; 10(3); 528-532; doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.01.003

The first molecular detection and genetic diversity of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in horses of Gansu province, China.

Abstract: Equine piroplasmosis, caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, is an economically important tick-borne disease worldwide. In the current study, 242 blood samples were randomly collected from horses in Zhangye city of Gansu province, China. The presence and genetic diversity of piroplasms were evaluated with a nested PCR assay, gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The results showed that seventy-five (31.0%) samples were positive for piroplasms. Sequences analysis showed that seventy-three (30.2%) were positive for T. equi, and seven (2.9%) for B. caballi, five of which (2.1%) were infected with T. equi and B. caballi. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two T. equi genotypes (C and E) and one B. caballi genotype (A). The molecular epidemiological and genetic diversity results provide important epidemiological data for control of equine piroplasmosis caused by T. equi and B. caballi in China.
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2019-01-16 PubMed ID: 30670354DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.01.003Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 presence and genetic variation of theafeath equi and Babesia caballi, which cause a significant tick-borne disease in horses, in Zhangye city, Gansu province, China. The study utilizes molecular techniques to establish the prevalence of the infection and to identify the different genotypes present.

About the Research

  • The study is centered on Equine piroplasmosis, an economically significant tick-borne disease in horses caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. These diseases are of significant concern in the equine industry due to the health risks they pose for horses and the associated economic implications.
  • The research was conducted in Zhangye city of Gansu province, China. A total of 242 blood samples were collected randomly from horses in this area.

Methodology

  • The researchers used a nested PCR assay to determine the presence of piroplasms, which are parasitic protozoa, in the blood samples.
  • Genetic sequencing was employed to study the exact arrangement of genes in these piroplasms. This provided insight into the variations and similarities within the genetic material of these organisms.
  • The researchers further supplemented their findings through phylogenetic analysis, which is a key scientific method used in the study of evolutionary relationships between species. By constructing a phylogenetic tree, the researchers were able to understand the evolutionary history and genetic diversity of T. equi and B. caballi present in the surveyed horses.

Results

  • Out of the 242 blood samples, seventy-five (31.0%) were found to be positive for piroplasms. More specifically, seventy-three (30.2%) samples were positive for T. equi and seven (2.9%) for B. caballi. Five samples (2.1%) had a co-infection of T. equi and B. caballi.
  • The phylogenetic analysis allowed the researchers to identity two genotypes – C and E – of Theileria equi and one genotype – A – of Babesia caballi.

Conclusion

  • The findings provide useful epidemiological data that can aid the control of equine piroplasmosis in China. By understanding the prevalence and genetic diversity of these disease-causing organisms, more effective management strategies could potentially be formulated to control the spread of T. equi and B. caballi.

Cite This Article

APA
Wang J, Liu J, Yang J, Wang X, Li Z, Jianlin X, Li X, Xiang Q, Li Y, Liu Z, Luo J, Guan G, Yin H. (2019). The first molecular detection and genetic diversity of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in horses of Gansu province, China. Ticks Tick Borne Dis, 10(3), 528-532. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.01.003

Publication

Ticks and tick-borne diseases
ISSN: 1877-9603
NlmUniqueID: 101522599
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 3
Pages: 528-532
PII: S1877-959X(18)30344-3

Researcher Affiliations

Wang, Jinming
  • State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China. Electronic address: wjm0403@caas.cn.
Liu, Junlong
  • State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China. Electronic address: liujunlong@caas.cn.
Yang, Jifei
  • State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China. Electronic address: yangjifei@caas.cn.
Wang, Xiaoxing
  • State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China. Electronic address: 1317212955@qq.com.
Li, Zhi
  • State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China. Electronic address: 136545267@qq.com.
Jianlin, Xu
  • State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China. Electronic address: 2691824609@qq.com.
Li, Xuan
  • State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China. Electronic address: 652911910@qq.com.
Xiang, Quanjia
  • State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China. Electronic address: 1653011539@qq.com.
Li, Youquan
  • State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China. Electronic address: liyouquan@caas.cn.
Liu, Zhijie
  • State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China. Electronic address: liuzhijie@caas.cn.
Luo, Jianxun
  • State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China. Electronic address: luojianxun@caas.cn.
Guan, Guiquan
  • State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China. Electronic address: guanguiquan@caas.cn.
Yin, Hong
  • State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonose, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, PR China. Electronic address: yinhong@caas.cn.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Babesia / genetics
  • Babesia / isolation & purification
  • Babesiosis / blood
  • Babesiosis / epidemiology
  • China / epidemiology
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genotype
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horses / parasitology
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics
  • Theileria / genetics
  • Theileria / isolation & purification
  • Theileriasis / blood
  • Theileriasis / epidemiology
  • Tick-Borne Diseases / epidemiology
  • Tick-Borne Diseases / parasitology
  • Tick-Borne Diseases / veterinary

Citations

This article has been cited 18 times.
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