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Parasitology research2024; 123(7); 279; doi: 10.1007/s00436-024-08300-3

The first study of the prevalence and genetic diversity of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in horses in Russia.

Abstract: Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a global worldwide infection, which can lead to the death of animals. Despite the causative agents of EP being well studied, there are no data on the distribution and genetic characteristics of EP agents in any region of Russia. In this study, blood samples from 750 horses from Novosibirsk province, Irkutsk province, and Altai region of Russian Siberia were examined for the presence of EP agents. Theileria equi and Babesia caballi were detected in all examined regions, with mean prevalence rates of 60.4% and 7.2%, respectively. The identified pathogens were genetically characterized by the 18S rRNA gene. The determined T. equi sequences were highly conserved and belonged to genotypes A and E, with genotype E being found in 88.6% of genotyped samples. In contrast to T. equi, B. caballi sequences were genetically diverse. Seven sequence variants of B. caballi were identified, and only two of them matched known sequences from the GenBank database. The determined B. caballi sequences belonged to four distinct branches within genotype A. Mixed infections with several variants of B. caballi or with T. equi and B. caballi were common. The conducted phylogenetic analysis based on all available B. caballi sequences of the 18S rRNA gene (> 900 bp) from GenBank and from this study first demonstrated the presence of five monophyletic clusters within genotype A and three clusters within genotype B. Thus, the genetic study of B. caballi from Siberia has significantly expanded the data on the genetic diversity of this pathogen.
© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
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Publication Date: 2024-07-20 PubMed ID: 39031213PubMed Central: 7998884DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08300-3Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This study investigates the prevalence and genetic diversity of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, agents of Equine piroplasmosis (EP), in horses in different regions of Russia, filling an existing knowledge gap on this subject. Testing revealed high prevalence rates and a remarkable genetic diversity among the identified pathogens, providing valuable insights for future research and disease control strategies.

Study Context and Aim

In this research, the authors aimed to understand the spread and genetic characteristics of agents causing Equine piroplasmosis (EP), which had not been previously studied in Russia. EP is a severe infection affecting horses globally, and it can be fatal. The main agents of EP are Theileria equi and Babesia caballi.

Research Methodology

  • For this study, the researchers collected blood samples from 750 horses across three regions of Siberia in Russia: Novosibirsk province, Irkutsk province, and the Altai region.
  • These samples were then examined to detect the presence of EP agents, T. equi and B. caballi.
  • The research team genetically characterized the identified pathogens using the 18S rRNA gene.
  • They used the GenBank database and a phylogenetic analysis based on available B. caballi sequences to assist in this characterization.

Findings

  • The researchers found T. equi and B. caballi in all inspected regions, with average prevalence rates of 60.4% and 7.2% respectively.
  • The T. equi pathogens found were mainly of genotypes A and E, with genotype E being predominant in 88.6% of genotyped samples. In contrast, B. caballi sequences were found to be genetically diverse.
  • Seven different variants of B. caballi were identified, of which only two matched existing sequences in the GenBank database.
  • The identified B. caballi sequences were grouped into four separate branches within genotype A.
  • Mixed infections involving several variants of B. caballi or combinations of T. equi and B. caballi were commonly found.
  • The phylogenetic analysis revealed the existence of five monophyletic clusters within genotype A and three clusters within genotype B of B. caballi, indicating significant genetic diversity.

Significance of the Study

This genetic study of B. caballi in Siberia adds greatly to the existing data on the genetic diversity of this pathogen, which is essential for understanding the disease’s behavior and development. It also highlights the high prevalence of the disease’s causatives agents in the region. This research could thus guide future studies and inform measures for the control and treatment of EP.

Cite This Article

APA
Rar V, Marchenko V, Suntsova O, Epikhina T, Tikunov A, Meltsov I, Fedorets V, Igolkina Y, Kozlova I, Tikunova N. (2024). The first study of the prevalence and genetic diversity of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in horses in Russia. Parasitol Res, 123(7), 279. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-024-08300-3

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 123
Issue: 7
Pages: 279

Researcher Affiliations

Rar, Vera
  • Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia. rarv@niboch.nsc.ru.
Marchenko, Victor
  • Federal Altai Scientific Center for Agrobiotechnology, Barnaul, Russia.
Suntsova, Olga
  • Scientific Centre for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems, Irkutsk, Russia.
Epikhina, Tamara
  • Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia.
Tikunov, Artem
  • Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia.
Meltsov, Ivan
  • Irkutsk State Agrarian University Named After A.A. Ezhevsky, Irkutsk Province, Molodezhny Settlement, Russia.
Fedorets, Valeria
  • Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia.
Igolkina, Yana
  • Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia.
Kozlova, Irina
  • Scientific Centre for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems, Irkutsk, Russia.
Tikunova, Nina
  • Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Theileria / genetics
  • Theileria / classification
  • Theileria / isolation & purification
  • Babesia / genetics
  • Babesia / classification
  • Babesia / isolation & purification
  • Babesiosis / epidemiology
  • Babesiosis / parasitology
  • Horses / parasitology
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Theileriasis / epidemiology
  • Theileriasis / parasitology
  • Genetic Variation
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics
  • Prevalence
  • Genotype
  • Phylogeny
  • Russia / epidemiology
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • Siberia / epidemiology
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal / chemistry

Grant Funding

  • 121031300043-8 / Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation
  • 0534-2021-0005 / Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation
  • 1021060107125-0-1.6.2 / Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation
  • 121031300043-8 / Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation
  • 121031300043-8 / Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation
  • 121031300043-8 / Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation
  • 121031300043-8 / Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation
  • 1021060107125-0-1.6.2 / Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation
  • 121031300043-8 / Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Gupta KK, Gupta N, Kumar S, Srivastava M, Kumar P. Equine piroplasmosis: an emerging tick-borne threat to equine health. Trop Anim Health Prod 2026 Jan 5;58(1):29.
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  2. Rar V, Marchenko V, Epikhina T, Tikunov A, Suntsova O, Kozlova I, Tikunova N. The first genetic study of Babesia caballi, Theileria equi, and Babesia occultans in Dermacentor spp. in Russian Siberia. Exp Appl Acarol 2025 Aug 21;95(3):33.
    doi: 10.1007/s10493-025-01057-zpubmed: 40839152google scholar: lookup
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