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Open veterinary journal2025; 15(11); 5799-5805; doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i11.35

Treatment evaluation using ultrasonographic scanning of the spleen in Arabian horses affected by babesiosis.

Abstract: Equine babesiosis is a widespread protozoan disease in Saudi Arabia. The most common finding of clinical babesiosis is splenomegaly, which can be detected using non-invasive splenic ultrasonography. Unassigned: This study aimed to investigate changes in the spleen size in horses infected with babesiosis using ultrasonography before and after treatment. Unassigned: This study employed 15 male and female Arabian horses. Each animal was examined clinically for clinical signs, and blood samples were collected in plain tubes to detect antibodies against . The spleens of healthy and affected horses were examined by ultrasound using a B-mode scan with a 3.5 MHz convex probe. Horses infected with babesiosis based on clinical and competitive, enzyme-linked, immunosorbent assay analysis were treated with imidocarb dipropionate, and the spleen ultrasound examination was repeated 2 weeks after treatment. Unassigned: Using ultrasonography, the diseased horses showed an increase in spleen measurements compared with the healthy horses before treatment. Splenomegaly in infected horses was reduced 14 days after treatment according to ultrasound measurements. Unassigned: Ultrasonographic scanning of the spleen could be practically applied as a supportive method for the diagnosis and follow-up of babesiosis treatment in horses.
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Publication Date: 2025-11-30 PubMed ID: 41630728PubMed Central: PMC12861471DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i11.35Google 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.

Research Overview

  • This study evaluated spleen size changes in Arabian horses infected with babesiosis using ultrasonographic scanning before and after treatment.
  • The researchers assessed the effectiveness of treatment by monitoring splenomegaly (enlarged spleen) via ultrasound imaging.

Background

  • Equine babesiosis is a common protozoan disease affecting horses in Saudi Arabia.
  • The disease often causes splenomegaly, which is an enlargement of the spleen, an important organ involved in filtering blood and immune response.
  • Detecting splenomegaly traditionally requires physical or invasive examination, but ultrasonographic scanning allows non-invasive detection and monitoring.

Study Objectives

  • To use ultrasonography to measure spleen size changes in Arabian horses infected with babesiosis.
  • To assess spleen size before and after treatment to evaluate the treatment’s effectiveness.

Methodology

  • The study involved 15 Arabian horses, both male and female.
  • Clinical examinations were conducted to identify clinical signs of babesiosis in each horse.
  • Blood samples were collected to detect antibodies against the Babesia parasite using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  • Spleen ultrasonography was performed on both healthy and infected horses using a B-mode scan with a 3.5 MHz convex probe, a device that emits sound waves to create images of internal organs.
  • Horses diagnosed with babesiosis were treated with imidocarb dipropionate, a medication effective against protozoan parasites.
  • Two weeks after treatment, spleen ultrasonography was repeated to evaluate changes in spleen size.

Key Findings

  • Diseased horses showed significant spleen enlargement compared with healthy horses before treatment, confirming splenomegaly as a common clinical sign of babesiosis.
  • After 14 days of treatment with imidocarb dipropionate, spleen size was reduced significantly as measured by ultrasound.
  • The reduction in spleen size indicated a positive response to treatment.

Conclusions and Practical Implications

  • Ultrasonographic scanning is a valuable, non-invasive tool to support the diagnosis of equine babesiosis by detecting splenomegaly.
  • This imaging technique is also effective for monitoring the progress of treatment by observing changes in spleen size over time.
  • Using ultrasound can improve disease management by providing rapid, objective assessments without the need for more invasive procedures.

Cite This Article

APA
Almaqhawi AA, El-Jalii IM, Al-Sabi MNS, Al-Ali A, Khalid AM, Abduljawad M, Shawaf T. (2025). Treatment evaluation using ultrasonographic scanning of the spleen in Arabian horses affected by babesiosis. Open Vet J, 15(11), 5799-5805. https://doi.org/10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i11.35

Publication

Open veterinary journal
ISSN: 2218-6050
NlmUniqueID: 101653182
Country: Libya
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 11
Pages: 5799-5805

Researcher Affiliations

Almaqhawi, Ahmed A
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
El-Jalii, Isam M
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
Al-Sabi, Mohamad N S
  • Department of Basic Medical Veterinary Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Al-Ali, Ahmed
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
Khalid, Ahmed M
  • Department of Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
Abduljawad, Mohamed
  • Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Idlib University, Idlib, Syria.
Shawaf, Turke
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Babesiosis / drug therapy
  • Babesiosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Horses
  • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Female
  • Male
  • Ultrasonography / veterinary
  • Spleen / diagnostic imaging
  • Splenomegaly / veterinary
  • Splenomegaly / diagnostic imaging
  • Splenomegaly / drug therapy
  • Imidocarb / analogs & derivatives
  • Imidocarb / therapeutic use
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Babesia
  • Saudi Arabia

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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