Theileria equi is 1 of the emerging and prevailing tick-borne hemoprotozoans adversely affecting the equids worldwide, including Pakistan. The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence and molecular characterization of T. equi in working horses (n = 194), the comparative efficacy of different diagnostic tests, associated risk factors, and hematobiochemical analysis. The blood samples of horses were subjected to microscopic examination, cELISA, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the results revealed a prevalence of 9.79, 21.13, and 13.40%, respectively, for T. equi in working horses. The comparison of microscopy and cELISA results with PCR showed that cELISA had higher sensitivity (84.62%), but lower specificity (88.69%) and accuracy (88.14%) in comparison to microscopy (57.69, 97.62, and 92.27%). Molecular characterization of T. equi by phylogenetic analysis revealed a 61% resemblance of study isolates with each other OL662926, OL662925, and 82% similarity with isolate OL662924 while also showing homology with T. equi isolates of South Africa, South Korea, India, Pakistan, and Brazil. The risk factor analysis revealed a significant association (P < 0.05) of tick control status, previous tick history, tick infestation, house hygiene, deworming/vaccination, and the presence of other livestock species with T. equi infection in horses. The hematobiochemical profile revealed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cells (WBCs), platelet (PLT), phosphorus, and an increase in lymphocytes, granulocytes, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glucose, bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine in T. equi-infected horses. The current study is the first comprehensive report for comparative evaluation of microscopy, cELISA, and PCR, assessment of epidemiological risk factors as well as hematobiochemical variations due to T. equi infection in Pakistan.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1645/23-58 | DOI Listing |
PLoS One
January 2025
UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science and UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
The multi-host pathogen Rhodococcus equi is a parasite of macrophages preventing maturation of the phagolysosome, thus creating a hospitable environment supporting intracellular growth. Virulent R. equi isolated from foals, pigs and cattle harbor a host-specific virulence plasmid, pVAPA, pVAPB and pVAPN respectively, which encode a family of 17 Vap proteins belonging to seven monophyletic clades.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTicks Tick Borne Dis
January 2025
INRAE, Oniris, BIOEPAR, 44300 Nantes, France. Electronic address:
Equine piroplasmosis is a worldwide tick-borne disease caused by the parasites Theileria equi sensu lato and Babesia caballi, with significant economic and sanitary consequences. These two parasites are genetically variable, with a potential impact on diagnostic accuracy. Our study aimed to evaluate the frequency of asymptomatic carriers of these parasites in France and describe the circulating genotypes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPol J Vet Sci
September 2024
Department of Companion Animals and Horses, University Equine Hospital, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Rhodococcus equi (R. equi) is a primary cause of pyogranulomatous pneumonia of foals between three weeks and five months of age. Early diagnosis of rhodococcal pneumonia has always been considered a preferable approach as it can lead to more successful treatment and better outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVet Parasitol
December 2024
CIISA - Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Portugal; Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), Portugal; Elvas School of Biosciences, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, Portugal; VALORIZA - Research Centre for Endogenous Resources Valorisation, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, Portugal.
Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease of equids caused by Theileria equi, Theileria haneyi, and Babesia caballi. EP is endemic in most tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, and there is a likelihood that it is also endemic in Portugal. This retrospective study aimed to determine the seroprevalence, prevalence, and potential risk factors of EP in our country over the past five years.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVet Res Commun
December 2024
Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (IDICAL, INTA-CONICET), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, RN N° 34, KM 227, Rafaela, CP 2300, Santa Fe, Argentina.
After the previous description and characterization of Theileria equi sensu stricto (Genotype A) in Argentina, the aim of the present study was to investigate the possible heterogeneity of 18 S rDNA genotypes circulating in this country. Therefore, blood samples from 18 horses from two different neighborhoods of Corrientes City, Corrientes Province, were analyzed for infection with Theileria species. Theileria DNA was detected in five samples (27.
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