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Tropical animal health and production2015; 48(1); 45-52; doi: 10.1007/s11250-015-0917-1

Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infection of equids in Punjab, India: a serological and molecular survey.

Abstract: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Submountain undulating, Undulating plain, Western and Western plain agro-climatic zones of Punjab province, India, to determine the prevalence, agreement between diagnostic tests and associated related risk factors of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infection in equids (horses, donkey, mules). An overall prevalence of 14.14 and 0.0% of T. equi and B. caballi was recorded by multiplex polymerase chain reaction targeting 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) for both the parasites and 75 and 1.11% by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in a representative sample of 180 animals. Only two animals with positive antibody titre from B. caballi and none with PCR indicated T. equi as the predominant haemoprotozoan responsible for equine piroplasmosis in the study area. Among the PCR-positive animals, presence of tick vectors in farm vicinity was the most influential associated with T. equi infection (P = 0.002; odds ratio (OR) 9.30; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.32-27.10). For animals with higher anti-T. equi antibody titres, strong association of sero-prevalence for T. equi was recorded with age, sex, usage, tick infestation and deworming/vaccination status of host animals and farm management strategies. The study has demonstrated the possible absence of B. caballi in both conducive and non-conducive areas of Punjab and demonstrated T. equi as the potential agent of equine piroplasmosis in Punjab.
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Publication Date: 2015-09-19 PubMed ID: 26387094DOI: 10.1007/s11250-015-0917-1Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 prevalence of and risk factors associated with Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in horses, donkeys, and mules in Punjab, India. The results show that T. equi is the predominant haemoprotozoan responsible for equine piroplasmosis in the region, with the presence of tick vectors in a farm’s vicinity being a major risk factor.

Methodology and Results

  • The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study across various agro-climatic zones in Punjab, India, focusing on different equine species like horses, donkeys, and mules.
  • The overall prevalence of T. equi and B. caballi was 14.14% and 0.0% respectively, according to multiplex polymerase chain reaction that targeted 18S ribosomal RNA for both parasites.
  • An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay on a representative sample of 180 animals revealed that 75% were affected by T. equi while only 1.11% were affected by B. caballi.
  • The study discovered that only two animals had positive antibody titre from B. caballi, emphasizing T. equi as the predominant haemoprotozoan causing equine piroplasmosis in the study area.

Associated Risk Factors

  • Among PCR-positive animals, the presence of tick vectors in the vicinity of farms was significantly associated with T. equi infection, as highlighted by a high odds ratio (OR) and low P-value.
  • Higher anti-T. equi antibody titres were strongly linked with various factors like age, sex, usage, tick infestation, and the deworming/vaccination status of host animals, as well as farm management strategies.

Implications of the Study

  • The study suggests the absence of B. caballi in both conducive and non-conducive areas of Punjab, dismissing its role in the spread of equine piroplasmosis in the province.
  • The findings reveal the potential magnitude of T. equi as an agent of equine piroplasmosis in Punjab, emphasizing the need for appropriate control and prevention measures particularly targeting tick vectors.

Cite This Article

APA
Sumbria D, Das Singla L, Sharma A. (2015). Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infection of equids in Punjab, India: a serological and molecular survey. Trop Anim Health Prod, 48(1), 45-52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-015-0917-1

Publication

Tropical animal health and production
ISSN: 1573-7438
NlmUniqueID: 1277355
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 48
Issue: 1
Pages: 45-52

Researcher Affiliations

Sumbria, Deepak
  • Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, 141004, India.
Das Singla, Lachhman
  • Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, 141004, India. ldsingla@gmail.com.
Sharma, Amrita
  • Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, Punjab, 141004, India.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Babesia / classification
  • Babesia / isolation & purification
  • Babesiosis / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
  • Equidae
  • India / epidemiology
  • Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Odds Ratio
  • Prevalence
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics
  • Risk Factors
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Theileria / classification
  • Theileria / isolation & purification
  • Theileriasis / epidemiology
  • Tick Infestations / veterinary

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Citations

This article has been cited 13 times.
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