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Home / Equine Research Bank / Parasitol Res / The first molecular detection of equine piroplasmosis in Vie...
Parasitology research2026; 125(1); 14; doi: 10.1007/s00436-026-08630-4

The first molecular detection of equine piroplasmosis in Vietnam and genetic characterization of three co-circulating genotypes of Theileria equi.

Abstract: Equine piroplasmosis, caused by , and , significantly impacts on the veterinary and economic aspects of the global horse industry. However, many countries, including Vietnam, have not yet conducted epidemiological surveys to determine the prevalence of these haemoparasites. This study aimed to detect and/or infections in horses and to identify their genotypes. Blood samples were collected from 154 apparently healthy horses in eight districts of Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, and Son La provinces located in the northern part of the country. Twenty-four horses (15.58%, 95%CI: 10.70–22.14%) were found to be infected with across six districts. was not detected. No significant association was found between gender, host age, and the number of infected horses. Phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rRNA sequences from the positive DNA samples revealed genotypes A, C, and E. These results confirm the presence of equine theileriosis in northern Vietnam, highlighting the need for nationwide studies of equine piroplasmosis involving larger sample sizes. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00436-026-08630-4.
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Publication Date: 2026-02-05 PubMed ID: 41644779PubMed Central: PMC12876454DOI: 10.1007/s00436-026-08630-4Google 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.

Overview

  • This study reports the first molecular evidence of equine piroplasmosis caused by Theileria equi in horses from northern Vietnam.
  • It also identifies three distinct genetic types (genotypes A, C, and E) of the parasite circulating in this region.

Background

  • Equine piroplasmosis is a disease affecting horses globally, caused mainly by two types of blood parasites: Babesia caballi and Theileria equi.
  • The disease negatively impacts horse health and imposes significant economic costs on the horse industry.
  • Despite its importance, some countries, such as Vietnam, had no prior comprehensive surveys to detect or study these parasites in their equine populations.

Study Objective

  • The main aim was to detect infections of Babesia caballi and/or Theileria equi in horses in northern Vietnam and to genetically characterize the parasite genotypes present.

Methodology

  • Blood samples were collected from 154 apparently healthy horses across eight districts in three northern Vietnamese provinces: Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, and Son La.
  • Molecular techniques, specifically PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene, were used to detect the presence of the parasites’ DNA.
  • Genetic sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of positive samples were performed to identify different genotypes of Theileria equi present in the horse population.

Key Findings

  • Out of 154 horses sampled, 24 (15.58%) tested positive for Theileria equi.
  • The parasite was found in horses from six of the eight districts tested, indicating widespread presence.
  • Babesia caballi was not detected in any of the samples.
  • There was no statistically significant relationship between the horses’ gender or age and their infection status, suggesting that infection risk is generally consistent across these factors.

Genetic Characterization

  • Phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rRNA gene sequences identified three genotypes of Theileria equi: A, C, and E.
  • This shows that multiple genetic variants of the parasite are co-circulating in northern Vietnam.
  • Understanding genotype distribution is important for disease control and epidemiological tracking.

Implications and Recommendations

  • This study confirms for the first time that equine piroplasmosis caused by Theileria equi is present in Vietnam, particularly in the north.
  • The findings highlight the need for more extensive, nationwide epidemiological surveys to assess the true prevalence and distribution of this disease.
  • Such data can help inform veterinary strategies, control measures, and economic assessments related to equine health management in Vietnam.
  • The identification of multiple genotypes indicates potential complexity in disease dynamics, which should be considered in diagnostic and intervention planning.

Additional Resources

  • The article provides supplementary materials online for further details, supporting transparency and enabling follow-up research.
  • The DOI link given helps access the full publication for those interested in more technical specifics or data.

Cite This Article

APA
Dao TTH, Szűts T, Duong NN, Troung DTQ, Solymosi N, Takács N, Hornok S, Farkas R. (2026). The first molecular detection of equine piroplasmosis in Vietnam and genetic characterization of three co-circulating genotypes of Theileria equi. Parasitol Res, 125(1), 14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-026-08630-4

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 125
Issue: 1
Pages: 14
PII: 14

Researcher Affiliations

Dao, Thanh Thi Ha
  • Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Veterinary Research, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Szűts, Tamás
  • Department of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, Hungary.
Duong, Ngoc Nhu
  • Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Veterinary Research, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Troung, Duong Thi Quy
  • Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Veterinary Research, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Solymosi, Norbert
  • Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, Hungary.
Takács, Nóra
  • Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, Hungary.
  • HUN-REN-UVMB Climate Change: New Blood-sucking Parasites and Vector-borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary.
Hornok, Sándor
  • Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, Hungary.
  • HUN-REN-UVMB Climate Change: New Blood-sucking Parasites and Vector-borne Pathogens Research Group, Budapest, Hungary.
Farkas, Róbert
  • Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Budapest, Hungary. farkas.robert@univet.hu.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declarations. Ethical approval: The protocol used in this study followed the QCVN 01–83:2011/BNN&PTNT ( https://cucthuy.gov.vn/en/tieu-chuan-quy-chuan/-/standards/detail/77582 ) and approved by the Proposal Committee of Ministry of Science and Technology, Vietnam (No. 02/2022/HD-NDT). Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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