Equine babesiasis: Epidemiology, control and chemotherapy

Abstract

Summary Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a hemoprotozoan disease cased by Babesia caballi and B.equi . It is a tick-borne disease principally characterized by fever, anemia, and icterus. Clinically inapparent babesia carrier horses are important in the dissemination of the disease. Clinical episodes occur under two conditions: o 1. When susceptible horse stock is moved into endemic EP areas; and 2. When inapparent babesia carriers are moved into non-endemic areas, then in the presence of certain ticks, babesiasis is spread to the susceptible horse population. Ticks are the principal vectors of equine piroplasmosis, additionally contaminated hypodermic needles have shown to spread B. equi among horses. In endemic EP areas, it has been shown that babesiasis can cause unthriftyness in foals. Control of babesiasis is principally directed at tick control. Various tickacidal sprays or dips can be used to break the life cycle of ticks. Chemotherapy, using certain aromatic diamidines, is an adjunct to tick control and also facilitates the international relocation of horses and other equidae. Objectives of chemotherapy are divided as follows: 1. In EP endemic areas, the therapeutic aim is to subdue the babesia parasites and leave the host horse in a state of premunition; and 2. In non-endemic areas, complete clearance of babesia organisms from the animal is the objective. Several aromatic diamadine pharmaceuticals are available to veterinarians. During recent years, horses and other equidae have become important in international commerce. Such commerce has focused attention on the international spread of certain infectious and communicable animal disease; among these is equine piroplasmosis (EP). Piroplasmosis is an infectious hemoprotozoan disease characterized by fever, anemia, icterus, and other signs arising from hemolysis caused by Babesia caballi or Babesia equi . The disease has been reported in horses, mules, donkeys, and zebras. 8