Ultrastructure of Babesia equi in ponies treated with imidocarb.
Abstract: Four splenectomized ponies were infected with Babesia equi. Two ponies were not treated, and two were treated with 5 mg of imidocarb/kg of body weight when 20% of their erythrocytes were parasitized. The nucleus of the parasite in erythrocytes from blood smears of nontreated ponies was roundish, deep red-staining, and usually composed two-thirds of the organism. The parasite in erythrocytes from blood smears of treated ponies was swollen and vacuolated except for an area just beneath the plasma membrane where the compressed nucleus was marginated, elongated, and clumpy. Parasites in erythrocytes from nontreated and treated ponies were examined by electron microscopy. Babesia equi in erythrocytes of nontreated ponies contained food vacuoles, a prominent nucleus, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulums, and ribosomes. There were four stages of degeneration of B equi in erythrocytes of ponies treated with imidocarb. The first stage was dilatation of the nuclear cisterna and clumping of chromatin. The second stage included dissolution of the nuclear envelope and passage of nuclear matrix into the cytoplasm. The third stage consisted of vacuolation of the cytoplasm and compression of the chromatin to the periphery of the cell. In the fourth stage of degeneration, the organism consisted essentially of a vacuole, and chromatin was condensed into an irregular mass of clumped material.
Publication Date: 1980-02-01 PubMed ID: 7369599
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
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 research article investigates the effect of the drug imidocarb on the ultrastructure of Babesia equi, a parasitic protozoan that infects the red blood cells of ponies. Imidocarb treatment resulted in significant degeneration and morphological changes in the parasites.
Objective and Methodology
- The research involved infecting four splenectomized ponies with Babesia equi. Two ponies were not treated and used as controls, while the other two were treated with imidocarb.
- The imidocarb was administered when 20% of the ponies’ erythrocytes were infested by the parasite.
- Scientists analyzed the morphology of the parasites in both treated and untreated ponies by observing blood smears under a microscope.
Findings in Unhandled Ponies
- In non-treated ponies, the parasite’s nucleus within the erythrocyte was round, deeply red staining, and typically made up two-thirds of the organism’s size.
- Advanced diagnostic tools such as electron microscopy revealed that the Babesia equi in untreated ponies had food vacuoles, a distinct nucleus, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulums, and ribosomes.
Effects of Imidocarb Treatment on Parasite Structure
- In imidocarb-treated ponies, the parasite exhibited swelling and the formation of empty spaces known as vacuoles, except for an area beneath the plasma membrane, where the nucleus was compressed, elongated and clumped.
- Scientists identified four stages of degeneration of Babesia equi in ponies treated with imidocarb.
- Stage 1: The parasite’s nuclear cistern (an envelope structure within the nucleus) dilated and the chromatin (the material that makes up chromosomes) clumped together.
- Stage 2: The nuclear envelope dissolved, allowing nuclear substance to seep into the cytoplasm.
- Stage 3: The cytoplasm became filled with vacuoles and chromatin was pushed to the cell periphery.
- Stage 4: The organism was mostly filled with a vacuole, and the chromatin had condensed into an irregular and clumped mass.
- These changes indicate significant degeneration and destruction of the parasite due to the imidocarb treatment.
Cite This Article
APA
Simpson CF, Neal FC.
(1980).
Ultrastructure of Babesia equi in ponies treated with imidocarb.
Am J Vet Res, 41(2), 267-271.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Babesia / ultrastructure
- Babesiosis / drug therapy
- Babesiosis / parasitology
- Blood / parasitology
- Carbanilides / therapeutic use
- Erythrocytes / parasitology
- Erythrocytes / ultrastructure
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horses
- Imidocarb / therapeutic use
- Microscopy, Electron
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Jalovecka M, Hajdusek O, Sojka D, Kopacek P, Malandrin L. The Complexity of Piroplasms Life Cycles.. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018;8:248.
- Ueti MW, Mealey RH, Kappmeyer LS, White SN, Kumpula-McWhirter N, Pelzel AM, Grause JF, Bunn TO, Schwartz A, Traub-Dargatz JL, Hendrickson A, Espy B, Guthrie AJ, Fowler WK, Knowles DP. Re-emergence of the apicomplexan Theileria equi in the United States: elimination of persistent infection and transmission risk.. PLoS One 2012;7(9):e44713.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
