Transplacental transmission of Theileria equi in mules: Should we worry?

The report under consideration is a research work about the transplacental transmission of a disease-causing organism, Theileria equi, in mules. Equine piroplasmosis is economically damaging globally and the report focuses on the potential of it being passed from pregnant mules to their foals.

Introduction

• The main disease examined in the research is Equine piroplasmosis, an illness causing significant economic damage worldwide. This condition is propagated by the transmission of two specific types of hemoprotozoa – Theileria equi and Babesia caballi – typically through tick bites.
• Historically, cases of transplacental transmission have only been reported in horses. The study’s goal, therefore, was to investigate whether the same could be true in mules—a question that had previously gone unexplored.

Methodology and Results

• The research team employed Real Time-PCR (RT-PCR), a technology used for detecting specific genetic materials, to investigate the presence of both Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in newborn mules prior to their consumption of colostrum. Colostrum is the initial form of milk produced by the mammary glands of mammals, and it typically contains antibodies to protect the newborn against disease. Delaying its ingestion would, therefore, help establish if the foals were already infected at birth or not.
• In the course of this study, blood samples of 18 mares alongside their corresponding newborn mules were collected and processed with RT-PCR.
• According to the results, only one mare tested positive for Babesia caballi. However, 13 mares were found to be positive for Theileria equi, with a specified occurrence of two foals also testing positive for the same organism. Both foals had originated from infected mares, supporting the possibility of transplacental transmission.

Conclusion

• The results produced from this research effort successfully identified a transplacental transmission route of Theileria equi in mules. This raises significant potential concerns regarding the breeding of these animals, especially in determining how to prevent such transmission and mitigate its potential economic impact.