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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2025; 15(14); 2047; doi: 10.3390/ani15142047

True Prevalence and Seroprevalence of Piroplasmosis in Horses in Southwestern Europe.

Abstract: Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is an endemic parasitic disease in southern European countries, such as Spain. Andalusia, the most southwestern region of Europe, is the community with the highest number of registered horses and farms in Spain and one of the main international exporters of Andalusian (Spanish Purebred) horses worldwide. Considering the current expansion of this disease and the possible effect of climate change on its prevalence, studying the EP prevalence in this region is compelling. Molecular (PCR) and serological methods (cELISA and IFAT) were used to study the true and apparent prevalences during a period of three consecutive years, evaluating the effects of age, sex, season, year of testing, and province. Results showed different EP prevalences between western and eastern provinces, as well as among seasons. Moreover, a positive association was observed between age and seropositivity, without any effect of sex. Our findings demonstrate that Andalusia is an EP endemic region, but prevalences were lower compared to central and northern Spanish regions. Moreover, EP prevalence has not increased in Andalusia in recent years despite climate changes.
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Publication Date: 2025-07-11 PubMed ID: 40723509PubMed Central: PMC12291708DOI: 10.3390/ani15142047Google 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.

The research article studies the prevalence of Equine piroplasmosis (EP), a parasitic disease in horses, in Andalusia, southwestern Europe, considering the potential effect of climate change and using molecular and serological methods over three years. The findings indicate varying EP levels between provinces and seasons and an age-related increase in seropositivity, but no effect of gender, and overall lower prevalences than in central and northern Spanish regions.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers employed molecular (PCR) and serological methods (cELISA and IFAT) to evaluate the real and apparent prevalences of equine piroplasmosis in Andalusia, over a span of three years.
  • They analysed the effects of parameters such as age, sex, season, year of testing, and province on the disease’s prevalence.

Key Findings

  • The results indicate a disparity in the prevalence of EP between western and eastern provinces in Andalusia.
  • The study also found fluctuations in EP prevalence among different seasons.
  • Furthermore, an increase in seropositivity was observed with age, revealing a positive correlation between age and susceptibility to EP. However, the research found that the sex of the horses did not significantly affect the prevalence rate.

Significance and Conclusions

  • The study definitively establishes Andalusia as a region endemic with EP. However, despite its widespread presence, the prevalence rates in Andalusia were found to be lower compared to regions in central and northern Spain.
  • Interesting to note is that notwithstanding the global shifts in climate, the study did not find an increase in the prevalence of EP in Andalusia in recent years.
  • This research is critical as it provides insights into the current spread of EP – especially important given Andalusia’s position as a significant international exporter of Spanish Purebred horses, and it elucidates factors influencing the disease’s prevalence, useful for disease management and prevention strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Duaso J, Perez-Ecija A, Navarro A, Martínez E, De Las Heras A, Mendoza FJ. (2025). True Prevalence and Seroprevalence of Piroplasmosis in Horses in Southwestern Europe. Animals (Basel), 15(14), 2047. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15142047

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 14
PII: 2047

Researcher Affiliations

Duaso, Juan
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain.
Perez-Ecija, Alejandro
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain.
Navarro, Ana
  • Gasset Laboratory, DAV Salud Group SL, 18200 Granada, Spain.
Martínez, Esther
  • Gasset Laboratory, DAV Salud Group SL, 18200 Granada, Spain.
De Las Heras, Adelaida
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain.
Mendoza, Francisco J
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Cordoba, 14014 Cordoba, Spain.

Grant Funding

  • AGR 277 / University of Cordoba

Conflict of Interest Statement

Ana Navarro and Esther Martínez are employees of Gasset Laboratory, DAV Salud Group SL. Their company had no role in the design of the study and interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; and in the decision to publish the results. Other authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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