Prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infection in horses from northern Italy

Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2011 Jul;11(7):955-6. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2010.0193. Epub 2011 Jan 23.

Abstract

Babesia caballi and Theileria equi are the causative agents of equine piroplasmosis. In this epidemiological study, 294 horses reared in a rural area of northern Italy were studied. During January 2008-January 2009, blood samples were taken for serology (indirect fluorescent antibody test) and for polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Data on the geographical area, sex, and age were collected for statistical analysis of risk factors associated with infection. A seroprevalence of 8.5% was found: 8.2% of the animals were positive for anti-T. equi antibodies and 0.3% for anti-B. caballi antibodies. No dual infections were observed. Of those horses with positive serology to T. equi, 33% were also positive in PCR, whereas none of the seropositive horses for B. caballi was positive in PCR. No significant correlation between sex or age was found for infection status.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Protozoan / blood
  • Babesia / immunology
  • Babesia / isolation & purification
  • Babesiosis / epidemiology
  • Babesiosis / veterinary*
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / blood
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology*
  • Horses
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Theileria / immunology
  • Theileria / isolation & purification
  • Theileriasis / epidemiology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Protozoan