The First Report of Serological Detection of Babesia caballi by cELISA in a Horse During Serological Survey of Piroplasmosis in Imported Horses at Shanghai Port, China.

The study sought to identify the presence of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi infections in horses imported through Shanghai port. Just one sample tested positive for B. caballi, marking the first time this parasite was found in imported horses at this location, underscoring the need for continued monitoring of piroplasmosis (a disease caused by these parasites) in such horses.

Background

Babesia caballi and Theileria equi are microscopic parasites that infect the red blood cells of horses, causing a disease known as ‘equine piroplasmosis’. This disease is typically transmitted through the bite of infected ticks, and can cause severe symptoms in horses, including anaemia, fever, and even death in severe cases. Despite the potential severity of this infection, there is currently limited understanding of the prevalence of B. caballi and T. equi in horses, particularly in those imported into China.

Research Methodology

• This research spanned from 2018 to 2019, during which 344 horse serum samples were collected at Shanghai port.
• The samples were tested for B. caballi and T. equi using commercially available kits.
• The serum samples were put through a ‘competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay’ (cELISA), a biochemical technique designed to detect the presence of antibodies in the samples that would indicate a horse’s immune response to either B. caballi or T. equi.

Key Findings

• Only one of the 344 collected samples tested positive for B. caballi, indicating a very low prevalence of this parasitic infection among the imported horses sampled.
• The detected B. caballi sample represents the first ever recorded presence of this parasite in imported horses at Shanghai port.

Implications

• The study underscores the importance of regular seroprevalence monitoring for piroplasmosis (seroprevalence refers to the number of individuals in a population who test positive for a specific disease based on blood serum specimens).
• Even though the prevalence rate was low, the detection of B. caballi highlights the need for effective surveillance and, potentially, control measures at points of import to prevent the spread of these parasitic infections.