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Prevalence and genetic characterization of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in grazing horses in Xinjiang, northwestern China. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:387-394. [PMID: 36504396 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07749-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Piroplasmosis is a disease that negatively affects equine health worldwide. Hence, 324 blood samples were collected from grazing horses in ten sites in Xinjiang and testing them for the presence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi by PCR of the EMA-1 gene and BC48 gene, respectively. Of the 324 blood samples, 161 (49.7%) were positive for equine piroplasms. The prevalence of T. equi was 38.9% (126/324), while that of B. caballi was 30.2% (98/324). The T. equi and B. caballi co-infection rate was 19.4% (63/324). From the 126 EMA-1 gene sequences and 98 BC48 gene sequences we obtained, 21 and 27 genotypes were identified, respectively. The EMA-1 sequences together with the GenBank reference sequences grouped into four clusters, with those from the present study forming two distinct clusters. In contrast, the BC48 sequences formed eight clusters with the GenBank reference sequences, while those obtained in the present study formed five distinct clusters. Our results highlight the widespread distribution and abundant gene polymorphism of T. equi and B. caballi in grazing horses from Xinjiang.
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2
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Torres R, Hurtado C, Pérez-Macchi S, Bittencourt P, Freschi C, de Mello VVC, Machado RZ, André MR, Müller A. Occurrence and Genetic Diversity of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in Chilean Thoroughbred Racing Horses. Pathogens 2021; 10:714. [PMID: 34200433 PMCID: PMC8226895 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10060714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to serologically and molecularly survey Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in thoroughbred horses from racecourses in Chile. Additionally, the genetic diversity of the positive samples was assessed. A total of 286 thoroughbred horses from the Santiago and Valparaíso racecourses had their serum samples submitted to an ELISA for B. caballi and T. equi, and 457 samples (from the Santiago, Valparaíso, and Concepción racecourses) were tested with nested PCRs for the B. caballi 48 KDa rhoptry protein (RAP-1) and T. equi 18S rRNA genes. Selected RAP-1 and 18S positive products were sequenced to perform phylogenetic and haplotype analyses. An overall seroprevalence of 35.6% was observed for these Chilean racecourses: 23.7% for T. equi, 8.4% for B. caballi, and 3.5% for both agents. Overall, a 53.6% occurrence by nPCR was detected for the three Chilean racecourses: 44.2% for T. equi, 5.4% for B. caballi, and 3.9% for both agents. Phylogenetic analysis of T. equi and B. caballi showed genetic proximity with sequences previously detected in other countries. Haplotype analysis revealed a low diversity among the Chilean sequences, which may have originated from those reported in Brazil, Israel, or Cuba. Babesia caballi and T. equi were detected for the first time in Chilean thoroughbred horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinaldo Torres
- Instituto de Ciencias Clinicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile; (R.T.); (C.H.)
| | - Claudio Hurtado
- Instituto de Ciencias Clinicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile; (R.T.); (C.H.)
| | - Sandra Pérez-Macchi
- Departamento de Patologia Clinica Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, San Lorenzo 1114, Paraguay;
| | - Pedro Bittencourt
- Biomedical Sciences Department, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis;
| | - Carla Freschi
- IMUNODOT Diagnostico, Jaboticabal 14887-042, SP, Brazil;
| | - Victoria Valente Califre de Mello
- Departamento de Patologia, Reproducao e Saude Unica, Faculdade de Ciencias Agrarias e Veterinarias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil; (V.V.C.d.M.); (R.Z.M.); (M.R.A.)
| | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Departamento de Patologia, Reproducao e Saude Unica, Faculdade de Ciencias Agrarias e Veterinarias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil; (V.V.C.d.M.); (R.Z.M.); (M.R.A.)
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Departamento de Patologia, Reproducao e Saude Unica, Faculdade de Ciencias Agrarias e Veterinarias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, (FCAV/UNESP), Jaboticabal 14884-900, SP, Brazil; (V.V.C.d.M.); (R.Z.M.); (M.R.A.)
| | - Ananda Müller
- Instituto de Ciencias Clinicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile; (R.T.); (C.H.)
- Biomedical Sciences Department, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis;
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Kartashov MY, Naidenova EV, Zakharov KS, Yakovlev SA, Skarnovich MO, Boumbaly S, Nikiforov KA, Plekhanov NA, Kritzkiy AA, Ternovoi VA, Boiro MY, Loktev VB. Detection of Babesia caballi, Theileria mutans and Th. velifera in ixodid ticks collected from cattle in Guinea in 2017-2018. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2021; 24:100564. [PMID: 34024380 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Intraerythrocytic protozoan parasites from the genera Babesia and Theileria may infect a wide range of animals and humans. The purpose of this study was to detect the 18S ribosomal RNA gene of Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. in ticks collected from household cows in the Republic of Guinea from 2017 to 2018 by PCR and then genotype the gene fragments by sequencing. A total of 907 ticks from 319 cows were collected in seven prefectures of Guinea (Boke, Faranah, Kankan, Kindia, Labe, Mamou and N'Zerekore). The following tick species on cattle were identified: Amblyomma variegatum (44.2%), Rhipicephalus decoloratus (34.7%), Rh. annulatus (10.3%), Rh. geigyi (7.3%) Hyalomma truncatum (2.4%), Rh. senegalensis (0.8%) and Haemaphysalis leachi (0.6%). Genetic markers for piroplasms were found in Am. variegatum, Rh. decoloratus, Rh. annulatus, and Rh. geigyi ticks, and the total infection rate for these ticks was 4.2%. The highest infection rate was found in Rh. annulatus ticks (10.9%). The piroplasms were genotyped as Babesia caballi, Theileria mutans and Theileria velifera by phylogenetic analysis of the 1150 bp 18S ribosomal RNA gene fragments. These pathogens were discovered in practically all studied prefectures in Guinea except for Mamou Prefecture. We propose that these ixodid ticks might play a major role in the transmission of piroplasm infections in domestic animals in Guinea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail Yu Kartashov
- State Research Center for Virology and Biotechnology "Vector", Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Ekaterina V Naidenova
- Federal Government Health Institution Russian Research Anti-Plaque Institute "Microbe", Saratov, Russia
| | - Kirill S Zakharov
- Federal Government Health Institution Russian Research Anti-Plaque Institute "Microbe", Saratov, Russia
| | - Sergey A Yakovlev
- Federal Government Health Institution Russian Research Anti-Plaque Institute "Microbe", Saratov, Russia
| | - Maxim O Skarnovich
- State Research Center for Virology and Biotechnology "Vector", Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region, Russia
| | - Sanaba Boumbaly
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Kindia, Republic of Guinea
| | - Konstantin A Nikiforov
- Federal Government Health Institution Russian Research Anti-Plaque Institute "Microbe", Saratov, Russia
| | - Nikita A Plekhanov
- Federal Government Health Institution Russian Research Anti-Plaque Institute "Microbe", Saratov, Russia
| | - Andrey A Kritzkiy
- Federal Government Health Institution Russian Research Anti-Plaque Institute "Microbe", Saratov, Russia
| | - Vladimir A Ternovoi
- State Research Center for Virology and Biotechnology "Vector", Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region, Russia
| | - Mamadou Y Boiro
- Research Institute of Applied Biology, Kindia, Republic of Guinea
| | - Valery B Loktev
- State Research Center for Virology and Biotechnology "Vector", Koltsovo, Novosibirsk Region, Russia; Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia; Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Novosibirsk, Russia.
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Development of an Indirect ELISA to Detect Equine Antibodies to Theileria haneyi. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10030270. [PMID: 33673478 PMCID: PMC7997436 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The apicomplexan parasite Theileria haneyi is one of two known causative agents of equine theileriosis. It causes milder clinical disease than its more virulent counterpart, Theileria equi, in experimentally infected horses, and can superinfect T. equi-positive horses. The current equi merozoite antigen 1 (EMA1)-based competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)used in the U.S. to detect equine theileriosis detects T. equi but not T. haneyi, and the complexity of molecular assays precludes widespread use for epidemiologic studies. In order to facilitate urgently needed studies on the prevalence of T. haneyi, the goal of this study was to develop a sensitive and specific serologic assay for the diagnosis of T. haneyi based on the equi merozoite antigen 11 (ThEMA11). To achieve this objective, ThEMA11 was recombinantly expressed in eukaryotic cells and its antigenicity assessed using sera from T. haneyi-experimentally infected horses. Confirmation of sera reactivity enabled design and optimization of an indirect ELISA. Specificity of the ELISA for T. haneyi was assessed using a cohort of sera from horses experimentally infected and confirmed PCR-positive for either T. equi or T. haneyi. Data from field samples further demonstrate that the ThEMA11 ELISA is capable of identifying T. haneyi antibodies in horses from multiple continents around the world.
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Molecular Detection and Genetic Analysis of Theileria equi Detected in Apparently Healthy Horses in Nigeria. FOLIA VETERINARIA 2020. [DOI: 10.2478/fv-2020-0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Equine theileriosis, an apicomplexan debilitating tick-borne parasitic disease of horses has caused considerable havoc to equine production all over the world. There is a dearth of information on the molecular characteristic of the parasites, Theileria equi Laveran, 1901, in Nigeria. Thus, in this study microscopy techniques and PCR were used to detect the T. equi of horses in Ogun, Oyo and Lagos States of Nigeria. We also characterized the partial region of 18S ribosomal RNA gene by sequencing and sequences analysis. One hundred and two horses consisting of Argentine 34 (33.3 %), Sudanese 21 (20.6 %) and local breeds 47 (46.1 %) including 2 females and 100 males were randomly sampled from the Polo Clubs in Ibadan, Lagos and from privately owned horse stables in Abeokuta. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein, thin smears were prepared and stained with a field stain. The DNA was extracted from the blood and a partial region of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene was amplified. The amplified products were sequenced unidirectionally and subjected to phylogenetic analysis with those sequences obtained from the Gen-Bank. Of the 102 horses tested, 12 (11.7 %) were positive for T. equi by microscopy which included 9 (19.1 %) local breeds, 2 (5.8 %) Argentine breed and 1 (4.8 %) Sudanese breed. In contrast, 7 (6.8 %) were positive by the PCR method; out of which 5 (10.6 %) of these samples were from the local breed of horses while the remaining 2 (5.8 %) were from the Argentine breed. The Packed Cell Volume (PCV) of the infected and non-infected horses did not show any significant (P < 0.05) difference. The sequences lengths obtained were 311 bp and they had 97.43—98.07 % homologies with available sequences in the GenBank. The phylogenetic analysis of the sequences suggested that the strain of T. equi detected in the study area formed a new genotype different from the established genotypes around the world. In conclusion, the prevalence of T. equi was very low in the study area and one strain of the parasite may be in circulation among the studied horses.
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Equine piroplasmosis: an insight into global exposure of equids from 1990 to 2019 by systematic review and meta-analysis. Parasitology 2020; 147:1411-1424. [PMID: 32741382 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182020001407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease of economic importance, relevant in the international movement of equids. The causative agents are at least two apicomplexan protozoan parasites Babesia caballi and Theileria equi. To date, there is no study that estimates global and regional exposure of equids to EP. We therefore conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the pooled prevalence and heterogeneity of EP using random-effects model. Six electronic databases were searched for publications on EP and assessed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 66 eligible studies published between 1990 and 2019 and representing 24 041 equids were included. The overall pooled prevalence estimates (PPEs) of B. caballi was 22.3% (95% CI 21.7-22.8), while the overall PPE for T. equi was 29.4% (95% CI 28.7-30.0). The overall pooled prevalence due to co-infection with both parasites was 11.8% (95% CI 11.32-12.32). Also, subgroup analysis according to sex, age, diagnostic technique, equid species, region and publication years showed a substantial degree of heterogeneity across studies computed for both B. caballi and T. equi infections in equids. Awareness of the current status of EP globally will alert the relevant authorities and stakeholders where necessary on the need for better preventive and control strategies against the disease.
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Lei R, Wang X, Zhang D, Liu Y, Chen Q, Jiang N. Rapid isothermal duplex real-time recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay for the diagnosis of equine piroplasmosis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:4096. [PMID: 32139744 PMCID: PMC7058082 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60997-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a severe disease of horses caused by the tick-borne protozoa Theileria equi (T. equi) and Babesia caballi (B. caballi). Infectious carriers are not always symptomatic, meaning there is a risk to non-enzootic areas. Regulatory tests for EP include sero-epidemiological methods for equine babesiosis, but these lack specificity due to cross-reactivity with other Babesia species. In this study, we present a real-time quantitative recombinase polymerase amplification (qRPA) method for fast simultaneous detection of both T. equi and B. caballi. In this method, primers and probes targeting the 18S rRNA gene of both T. equi and B. caballi, the ema-1 gene of T. equi and the bc48 gene of B. caballi were designed and evaluated. The sensitivity of qRPA was evaluated using the pUC57 plasmid DNA containing the target gene. For the pUC57-bc48 gene DNA, the R2 value was 0.983 for the concentration range 0.2 ng (4.1 × 107 DNA copies) to 2.0 fg (4.1 × 101 DNA copies). For the pUC57-ema gene DNA, the R2 value was 0.993 for the concentration range 0.2 ng (5.26 × 107 DNA copies) to 2.0 fg (5.26 × 102 DNA copies). For the pUC57-Bc18S gene DNA the R2 value was 0.976 for the concentration range 2.0 ng (4.21 × 108 DNA copies) to 2.0 fg (4.21 × 102 DNA copies). For the pUC57-Te18S gene DNA, the R2 value was 0.952 (Fig. S3b) for the concentration range 2.0 ng (4.16 × 108 DNA copies) to 2.0 fg (4.16 × 102 DNA copies). Furthermore, a duplex qRPA analysis was developed and optimized and the results showed that primers and probes targeting for the bc48 gene of B. caballi and the 18S rRNA gene of T. equi is the best combination for a duplex qRPA analysis in one reaction. The developed duplex qRPA assay has good specificity, and had negative amplification for several similar parasite. For DNA extracted from real horse blood specimens, this qRPA method has comparable sensitivity to traditional qPCR, but a simpler and more rapid operating process to obtain positive amplification. The qRPA, including the duplex strategy described here, could allow fast identification of the EP-causing T. equi and B. caballi, showing great potential for on-site EP screening of horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Lei
- Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine, Beijing, 100176, China
| | - Xinyi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China.,College of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Di Zhang
- College of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Yize Liu
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China.,The Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Qijun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China.,The Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China
| | - Ning Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, China. .,The Research Unit for Pathogenic Mechanisms of Zoonotic Parasites, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, 110866, China.
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Souza EARD, Araujo ADC, Pires LCSR, Freschi CR, Azevedo SS, Machado RZ, Horta MC. Serological detection and risk factors for equine piroplasmosis in the semiarid region of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 28:685-691. [PMID: 31691736 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-29612019088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Equine piroplasmosis, an economically important disease in horses, has so far not been reported in Pernambuco state, Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-Babesia caballi and anti-Theileria equi antibodies based on the detection of these agents in equine blood and in ticks on horses in the municipality of Petrolina, Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil. Blood samples were drawn from 393 horses and sera were examined by ELISA. The presence of tick infestations was evaluated, and 101 ticks were subjected to DNA amplification for the detection of Babesia spp. by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). No parasites were detected in the blood smears. Anti-B. caballi and anti-T. equi antibodies were found in 27.2% (107/393) and 34.8% (137/393) horses, respectively. Infestation by Dermacentor nitens was detected in 4.3% (17/393) of the horses. There was no DNA amplification of the agents in ticks. The risk factors for the presence of anti-T. equi antibodies (P < 0.05) were: purebred (P < 0.001), animals older than 156 months (P = 0.014), and the presence of ticks (P = 0.001). No risk factors for B. caballi were identified. This study confirmed the circulation of agents of equine piroplasmosis in the municipality of Petrolina, state of Pernambuco, Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Carla Roberta Freschi
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Sergio Santos Azevedo
- Unidade Acadêmica de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande - UFCG, Patos, PB, Brasil
| | - Rosangela Zacarias Machado
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, Brasil
| | - Maurício Claudio Horta
- Laboratório de Doenças Parasitárias, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco - UNIVASF, Petrolina, PE, Brasil
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Bhoora RV, Collins NE, Schnittger L, Troskie C, Marumo R, Labuschagne K, Smith RM, Dalton DL, Mbizeni S. Molecular genotyping and epidemiology of equine piroplasmids in South Africa. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 11:101358. [PMID: 31870636 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Recently reported substantial genetic diversity within Theileria equi 18S rRNA gene sequences has led to the identification of five genotypes A, B, C, D, and E, complicating molecular and serological diagnosis. In addition, T. haneyi has lately been reported as a species closely related to the T. equi 18S rRNA genotype C (Knowles et al., 2018). Theileria spp. of this group have a monophyletic origin and are therefore referred to as Equus group to distinguish them from the remaining Theileria lineages (Jalovecka et al., 2019). In this study, we report on the development of genotype-specific quantitative real-time PCR assays capable of detecting and distinguishing between each parasite genotype. Alignment of complete 18S rRNA sequences available on GenBank allowed for the design of a single primer pair and five TaqMan minor groove binder (MGB™) probes specific for each genotype (A-E). The assays, evaluated as qPCR simplex and two qPCR multiplex formats (Multiplex EP-ABC and Multiplex EP-DE), were shown to be both efficient and specific in the detection of T. equi genotypes. The developed qPCR assays were used to study (i) the intra-specific diversity of parasite genotypes within horse and zebra, (ii) the inter-specific differences in parasite genotype diversity in horses as compared to zebra, and (iii) the geographic distribution of T. equi 18S rRNA genotypes in South Africa. In addition, (iv) the presence of T. haneyi in South Africa was evaluated. An assessment of 342 equine field samples comprising 149 field horses, 55 racehorses, and 138 wild zebra confirmed the previously reported presence of T. equi 18S rRNA genotypes A, B, C, and D, and absence of genotype E in South African equids. Theileria equi genotypes A, B, C, and D, were detected in zebra, whereas only genotypes A, C and D, could be identified in field horses, and only genotypes A and C in racehorses. Genotypes B and D were the dominant genotypes identified in zebra in South Africa, while horses were predominantly infected with T. equi genotypes A and C. The greater diversity of T. equi genotypes in zebra suggests that it is an ancestral host for this piroplasmid lineage. Importantly, evidence is presented that each identified T. equi genotype segregates independently in each of the three studied equid populations reinforcing the notion that they represent individual separate entities corresponding to species. Preliminary investigations of the relationship between T. equi genotype C infections and Theileria haneyi, suggest that in addition to the five currently known T. equi genotypes, South African equids are also infected with T. haneyi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raksha Vasantrai Bhoora
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa; Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.
| | - Nicola Elaine Collins
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
| | - Leonhard Schnittger
- Instituto de Patobiologia Veterinaria, Centre of Research in Veterinary and Agronomic Sciences, INTA-Castelar, Prov. De Buenos Aires, Argentina; National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET), Av. Rivadavia 1917, C1033AAJ, CABA, Argentina
| | - Christo Troskie
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
| | - Ratselane Marumo
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
| | - Karien Labuschagne
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
| | - Rae Marvin Smith
- South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), National Zoological Garden, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Desire Lee Dalton
- South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), National Zoological Garden, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Zoology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - Sikhumbuzo Mbizeni
- Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa; Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, South Africa
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10
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Dos Santos TM, Roier ECR, Pires MS, Santos HA, Vilela JAR, Peckle M, Paulino PG, Baldani CD, Massard CL. Molecular evidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Theileria equi coinfection in horses from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Vet Anim Sci 2019; 7:100055. [PMID: 32734076 PMCID: PMC7386651 DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2019.100055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular evidence of coinfection with A. phagocytophilum and T. equi in horses in Brazil was confirmed for the first time by the detection of DNA from both agents. EGA should be included in differential diagnosis of tick-borne diseases in horses. Different clinical manifestations in horses may be due to coinfection.
The present study aims to determine the frequencies of Theileria equi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum antibodies among horses from the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and to detect the presence of DNA of these pathogens through molecular methods. A total of 98 serum samples of horses from the municipality of Seropedica were tested by indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) to detect anti-A. phagocytophilum and anti-T. equi IgG antibodies. In addition, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to detect these pathogens in the DNA extracted from the whole blood and buffy coat of horses. Bivariate analysis and odds ratio were performed to verify the possible association between positivity and characteristics related to the horses. As evaluated by IFA and qPCR, the frequency of animals that tested positive for T. equi was 89.8% (n = 88/98) and 91.8% (n = 90/98), whereas A. phagocytophilum was 17.4% (n = 17/98) and 1.0% (n = 1/98), respectively. Serological evidence of exposure to A. phagocytophilum and T. equi was observed in 16.3% (n = 16/98) of the horses; however, exposure was confirmed by qPCR in only 1.0% (n = 1/98). No statistical association was found in the bivariate and odds ratio analysis. This is the first study reporting the molecular detection of A. phagocytophilum DNA in horses from the state of Rio de Janeiro, and also the coinfection of A. phagocytophilum and T. equi in a horse from Brazil confirmed by molecular methods. Equine granulocytic anaplasmosis is circulating in Brazilian horses, together with T. equi, and should be included in the differential diagnosis of tick-borne diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Marques Dos Santos
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Br 465, km 7, Seropedica, Rio de Janeiro 23897-000, Brazil
| | | | - Marcus Sandes Pires
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Br 465, km 7, Seropedica, Rio de Janeiro 23897-000, Brazil
| | - Huarrisson Azevedo Santos
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Br 465, km 7, Seropedica, Rio de Janeiro 23897-000, Brazil
| | - Joice Aparecida Rezende Vilela
- Company of Technical Assistance and Extension Rural (EMATER) Estrada RJ 99, km 8 - Piranema, Itaguaí, Rio de Janeiro 23855-120, Brazil
| | - Maristela Peckle
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Br 465, km 7, Seropedica, Rio de Janeiro 23897-000, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Gonzaga Paulino
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Br 465, km 7, Seropedica, Rio de Janeiro 23897-000, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Divan Baldani
- Department of Medicine and Veterinary Surgery, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, BR 465, Km 7, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro 23890000, Brazil
| | - Carlos Luiz Massard
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Br 465, km 7, Seropedica, Rio de Janeiro 23897-000, Brazil
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11
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Vitari GLV, Costa RL, Abreu APM, Peckle M, Silva CB, Paulino PG, Pires MS, Massard CL, Santos HA. Genetic Diversity of Theileria equi from Horses in Different Regions of Brazil Based on the 18S rRNA Gene. J Parasitol 2019. [DOI: 10.1645/18-34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela L. V. Vitari
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Br 465, km 7, Seropedica, Rio de Janeiro, 23897-000, Brazil
| | - Renata L. Costa
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Br 465, km 7, Seropedica, Rio de Janeiro, 23897-000, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula M. Abreu
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Br 465, km 7, Seropedica, Rio de Janeiro, 23897-000, Brazil
| | - Maristela Peckle
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Br 465, km 7, Seropedica, Rio de Janeiro, 23897-000, Brazil
| | - Claudia B. Silva
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Br 465, km 7, Seropedica, Rio de Janeiro, 23897-000, Brazil
| | - Patricia G. Paulino
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Br 465, km 7, Seropedica, Rio de Janeiro, 23897-000, Brazil
| | - Marcus S. Pires
- Laboratory Animal Center, Pro-Rectory of Research and Postgraduate and Innovation, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Av. Morro do Valonguinho, w/o number, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, 24240-210, Brazil
| | - Carlos L. Massard
- Department of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Br 465, km 7, Seropedica, Rio de Janeiro, 23897-000, Brazil
| | - Huarrisson A. Santos
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Veterinary Institute, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Br 465, km 7, Seropedica, Rio de Janeiro, 23897-000, Brazil
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12
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Wang J, Liu J, Yang J, Wang X, Li Z, Jianlin X, Li X, Xiang Q, Li Y, Liu Z, Luo J, Guan G, Yin H. The first molecular detection and genetic diversity of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in horses of Gansu province, China. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2019; 10:528-532. [PMID: 30670354 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Equine piroplasmosis, caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, is an economically important tick-borne disease worldwide. In the current study, 242 blood samples were randomly collected from horses in Zhangye city of Gansu province, China. The presence and genetic diversity of piroplasms were evaluated with a nested PCR assay, gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The results showed that seventy-five (31.0%) samples were positive for piroplasms. Sequences analysis showed that seventy-three (30.2%) were positive for T. equi, and seven (2.9%) for B. caballi, five of which (2.1%) were infected with T. equi and B. caballi. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two T. equi genotypes (C and E) and one B. caballi genotype (A). The molecular epidemiological and genetic diversity results provide important epidemiological data for control of equine piroplasmosis caused by T. equi and B. caballi in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China.
| | - Junlong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China.
| | - Jifei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China.
| | - Xiaoxing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China.
| | - Zhi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China.
| | - Xu Jianlin
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China.
| | - Xuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China.
| | - Quanjia Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China.
| | - Youquan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China.
| | - Zhijie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China.
| | - Jianxun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China.
| | - Guiquan Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China.
| | - Hong Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xujiaping 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730046, PR China; Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for the Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Disease and Zoonose, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, PR China.
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13
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Schein FB, Maia MO, Witter R, Marcili A, Camargo LMD, Dutra V, Nakazato L, Candido SL, Almeida EMD, Oliveira ACSD, Pacheco RDC. Molecular survey and genetic diversity of piroplasmids in equids from Midwestern Brazil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 27:464-472. [PMID: 30183997 DOI: 10.1590/s1984-296120180048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated the distribution of piroplasmids in equids from the Mato Grosso state in Midwestern Brazil using molecular methods and the interspecific genetic diversity. For this, 1,624 blood samples of equids from 973 farms were examined by PCR, using primer pairs that amplify a fragment of the genes rap-1 and ema-1 of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, respectively. For molecular characterization and phylogenetic studies, 13 and 60 sequences of the rap-1 and ema-1 genes, respectively, were used to build a dendogram using maximum parsimony. B. caballi and T. equi were detected in 4.11% and 28.16% of the farms, respectively, and molecular prevalence was 2.74% for B. caballi and 25.91% for T. equi. The location of the farms and animals raised in the Pantanal ecoregion influence the probability of equids testing positive for B. caballi and T. equi . Moreover, age and herd purpose were variables significantly associated with T . equi infection. The sequences of B. caballi presented 1.95% intraspecific variability, contrasting with 2.99% in T. equi. Dendrograms for both species demonstrated the presence of subgroups with high values of support of branches. However, it is not possible to associate these groups with geographic origin and/or ecoregion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Bernardo Schein
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias - PPGVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária - FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil.,Faculdade de Medicine Veterinária, Universidade de Cuiabá - UNIC, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Maerle Oliveira Maia
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias - PPGVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária - FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Rute Witter
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias - PPGVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária - FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil.,Instituto Federal de Rondônia - IFRO, Jaru, RO, Brasil
| | - Arlei Marcili
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina e Bem-Estar Animal, Universidade de Santo Amaro - UNISA, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | | | - Valéria Dutra
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias - PPGVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária - FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Luciano Nakazato
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias - PPGVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária - FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Stefhano Luís Candido
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias - PPGVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária - FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | | | - Anderson Castro Soares de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias - PPGVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária - FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil.,Departamento de Estatística, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
| | - Richard de Campos Pacheco
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Veterinárias - PPGVET, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária - FAVET, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, Cuiabá, MT, Brasil
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14
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Nugraha AB, Cahyaningsih U, Amrozi A, Ridwan Y, Agungpriyono S, Taher DM, Guswanto A, Gantuya S, Tayebwa DS, Tuvshintulga B, Sivakumar T, Yokoyama N, Igarashi I. Serological and molecular prevalence of equine piroplasmosis in Western Java, Indonesia. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2018; 14:1-6. [PMID: 31014711 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Equine piroplasmosis is an economically significant disease caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, which are tick-borne hemoprotozoan parasites. Infections with these parasite species had never been reported in horses in Indonesia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of T. equi and B. caballi in horses reared in parts of Western Java, Indonesia. Blood samples were collected randomly from 235 horses in four different districts (Bandung, Depok, Tangerang, and Bogor) in Western Java, Indonesia. Thin blood smears prepared from the sampled animals were stained by Giemsa and observed under a light microscope. Serum samples prepared from blood were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) based on recombinant forms of EMA-2 and BC48 antigens to determine the seroprevalence of T. equi and B. caballi, respectively. DNA samples extracted from the same blood samples were screened by EMA-2 and BC48 gene-based nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) assays for T. equi and B. caballi infections, respectively. Of 235 surveyed animals, five (2.1%) and 15 (6.4%) were seropositive for T. equi and B. caballi, respectively, whereas one and four horses were nPCR-positive for T. equi and B. caballi, respectively. All of the surveyed animals were negative for T. equi and B. caballi by microscopy. The T. equi EMA-2 and B. caballi BC48 gene fragments amplified by the nPCR assays were cloned, sequenced, and subjected to bioinformatic and phylogenetic analyses. The T. equi EMA-2 gene sequence from an Indonesian horse was identical to sequences from Florida and Washington strains and clustered together with these sequences in phylogeny. On the other hand, four Indonesian BC48 gene sequences shared 99.8-100% identity scores. This present study is the first to report T. equi and B. caballi in horses in Indonesia. Our findings highlight the need for monitoring horses in Indonesia for clinical piroplasmosis caused by T. equi and B. caballi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arifin Budiman Nugraha
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Nishi 2-13 Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bogor Agricultural University, Jl. Agatis Kampus IPB Dramaga Bogor, 16680 Indonesia
| | - Umi Cahyaningsih
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bogor Agricultural University, Jl. Agatis Kampus IPB Dramaga Bogor, 16680 Indonesia
| | - Amrozi Amrozi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bogor Agricultural University, Jl. Agatis Kampus IPB Dramaga Bogor, 16680 Indonesia
| | - Yusuf Ridwan
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bogor Agricultural University, Jl. Agatis Kampus IPB Dramaga Bogor, 16680 Indonesia
| | - Srihadi Agungpriyono
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bogor Agricultural University, Jl. Agatis Kampus IPB Dramaga Bogor, 16680 Indonesia
| | - Dharmawaty Muhammad Taher
- Faculty of Teacher Training and Education Program of Biology Education, Khairun University, Jl. Bandara Babullah, P.O. Box 53, Ternate 97728, North Maluku, Indonesia
| | - Azirwan Guswanto
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Nishi 2-13 Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan; Balai Veteriner Subang (DIC Subang), Jl. Terusan Garuda 33/11 Blok Werasari Dangdeur, Subang 41212, Indonesia
| | - Sambuu Gantuya
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Nishi 2-13 Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Dickson Stuart Tayebwa
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Nishi 2-13 Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Bumduuren Tuvshintulga
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Nishi 2-13 Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Thillaiampalam Sivakumar
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Nishi 2-13 Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Naoaki Yokoyama
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Nishi 2-13 Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
| | - Ikuo Igarashi
- National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Nishi 2-13 Inada-cho, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
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