Babesia Equi Research Articles

AN ELECTROPHORETIC STUDY ON SERUM PROTEINS IN ARABIAN RACE HORSES NATURALLY INFECTED WITH Babesia equi

Electrophoretic patterns of serum protein in 12 Arabian race horses acutely infected with Babesia equi revealed a significant decrease in albumin (P<0.01) and beta globulins (P<0.05) where, alpha globulins fractions significantly (P<0.01) increased. No significant (P>0.05) changes were recorded in gamma globulins fractions and total serum protein.

Babesia equi

This datasheet on Babesia equi covers Identity, Overview, Distribution, Hosts/Species Affected, Vectors & Intermediate Hosts.

Serological evidence of equine infectious anaemia, West Nile fever, surra and equine piroplasmosis in a herd of horses in northern Argentina.

Northern Argentina hosts equine populations living under preserved natural areas and extensive breeding conditions, with limited access to veterinary care. Horses can be in contact with i) wildlife considered to be a potential reservoir of horse pathogens (e.g. capybara, coatis and pampas deer) and/or ii) potential disease vectors such as ticks, horse flies, Culicidae and vampire bats. In this context, the aim of this study was to assess the exposure of horses from a herd in northern Argentina to different vector-borne pathogens. Serum samples were collected from 20 horses on a farm in Chaco province. Most of these horses were in good health, but a few showed clinical signs such as fever, neurological signs or emaciation. Potential vectors (ticks, horse flies and Culicidae) were present and a fresh bite of a vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) was observed on one horse. This serological survey revealed that 100% (20/20) were positive for equine infectious anaemia (EIA), 100% (18/18) for West Nile fever (WNF), 53% (10/19) for surra and 45% (9/20) for equine piroplasmosis (Babesia equi). Among these horses, four were found seropositive for all four infections. On the other hand, all the tested horses were seronegative for equine viral arteritis (EVA), Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE), Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE), Western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE) and glanders. The data from this survey conducted on a small number of animals illustrate the need for an effective application of surveillance programmes and control measures for equine diseases in northern Argentina and constitute, to our knowledge, the first report of horses simultaneously seropositive for EIA, WNF, surra and equine piroplasmosis.

Myrrh Oil in Vitro Inhibitory Growth on Bovine and Equine Piroplasm Parasites and Babesia microti of Mice.

The present experimental study was conducted for the assessment of the efficacy of in vitro inhibition of myrrh oil on the propagation of Babesia bovis, B. divergens, B. bigemina, Theileria equi, and B. caballi and in vivo efficacy on B. microti in mice through fluorescence assay based on SYBR green I. The culture of B. divergens B. bovis and was used to evaluate the in vitro possible interaction between myrrh oil and other commercial compound, such as pyronaridine tetraphosphate (PYR), diminazene aceturate (DA), or luteolin. Nested-polymerase chain reaction protocol using primers of the small-subunit rRNA of B. microti was employed to detect any remnants of DNA for studied parasitic species either in blood or tissues. Results elucidated that; Myrrh oil significantly inhibit the growth at 1% of parasitic blood level for all bovine and equine piroplasm under the study. Parasitic regrowth was inhibited subsequently by viability test at 2 µg/mL for B. bigemina and B. bovis, and there was a significant improvement in the in vitro growth inhibition by myrrh oil when combined with DA, PYR, and luteolin. At the same time; mice treated with a combination of myrrh oil/DA showed a higher inhibition in emitted fluorescence signals than the group that challenged with 25 mg/kg of diminazene aceturate at 10 and 12 days post-infection. In conclusion, this study has recommended the myrrh oil to treat animal piroplasmosis, especially in combination with low doses of DA.

Equine piroplasmosis – the view of a practitioner from an endemic region

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is the most prevalent tickborne disease in equids in certain areas of the world and not only causes important economic losses but also leads to movement restrictions.1...

Evaluation of the in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effect of thymoquinone on piroplasm parasites

BackgroundDeveloping new antibabesial drugs with a low toxic effect to the animal and with no resistance from Babesia parasites is in urgent demand. In this concern, the antimalarial, anticancer and antioxidant effect of thymoquinone (TQ), a phytochemical compound found in the plant Nigella sativa, has been reported. Therefore, in the present study, the antibabesial effect of this compound was evaluated on the growth of piroplasm parasites.ResultsSignificant inhibition (P < 0.05) of the in vitro growth of piroplasm parasites were observed after treatment by TQ with IC50 values of 35.41 ± 3.60, 7.35 ± 0.17, 0.28 ± 0.016, 74.05 ± 4.55 and 67.33 ± 0.94 μM for Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, Babesia divergens, Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, respectively. The in vitro inhibitory effect of TQ was significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) when used in combination with either diminazene aceturate on bovine Babesia and equine Babesia and Theileria cultures. In B. microti-infected mice, oral and intraperitoneal administrations of TQ showed significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of parasite growth at a dose of 70 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, respectively, compared to the control group.ConclusionsThe obtained results indicate that thymoquinone might be a promising medicinal compound for use in the treatment of animal piroplasmosis.

TICK VECTOR AND DISEASE PATHOGEN SURVEILLANCE OF NILGAI ANTELOPE ( BOSELAPHUS TRAGOCAMELUS) IN SOUTHEASTERN TEXAS, USA.

Nilgai ( Boselaphus tragocamelus) are nonnative bovines that were originally introduced as game animals to one large, south Texas, US ranch but that are now present throughout southeastern Texas from Baffin Bay to Harlingen and in northern Mexico at least as far west as Durango. Between October 2014 and January 2017, nilgai ( n=517) were examined for the presence of tick ectoparasites, with particular interest in the cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus ( Boophilus) microplus. These animals were either hunter killed or they were culled as part of federal cooperative harvesting from Cameron and Willacy counties in southeastern Texas. The proportion of fever tick-infested animals differed in a N-to-S pattern, and this was at least partly attributed to differences in habitat. The southern area is a lowland floodplain predominated by halophytes, whereas the northerly area is upland thorn scrub, the latter of which provides a vegetative canopy that is more conducive to tick survival and persistence. A subset of nilgai, all from the Texas-Mexico border area, were screened for livestock pathogens using molecular and serological assays. All nilgai were seronegative for Babesia ( Theileria) equi and Babesia cabalii. Although 11 animals were seropositive for Anaplasma marginale by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA), these were interpreted with caution because of the lack of concordance between cELISA and molecular detection assays. All animals were PCR negative for presence of Babesia spp. DNA, and a single nilgai was seropositive for Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina by complement fixation. It remains unknown whether cattle Babesia spp. can establish an infection in nilgai.

Molecular Evidence for a Novel Species of Babesia in Unfed Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Acari: Ixodidae).

This study reports a novel species of Babesia in unfed Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato and its phylogenetic relationship to other species. One-hundred and forty DNA samples extracted from tick pools comprising 5,403 unfed R. sanguineus s.l. ticks were screened for Babesia. Overall Babesia infection was detected in female, male, and nymph pools with an infection rate maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) of 1.98 (CI 0.65-4.74), 0.50 (CI 0.03-2.40), and 0.07 (CI 0.01-0.21), respectively. Three adult female tick pools (MLE 1.44, CI 0.38-3.88) and one adult male pool (MLE 0.50, CI 0.03-2.40) hybridized to the catchall and Babesia genus probes but did not hybridize to any species-specific probe tested, suggesting the presence of an unidentified Babesia species. Phylogenetic analysis and sequencing revealed the newly detected Babesia isolate to form a clade distinct from fully identified canine, bovine, equine, and ovine Babesia species, with a range of 88.6-92.9% nucleotide identity.

Optimization of a Fluorescence-Based Assay for Large-Scale Drug Screening against Babesia and Theileria Parasites.

A rapid and accurate assay for evaluating antibabesial drugs on a large scale is required for the discovery of novel chemotherapeutic agents against Babesia parasites. In the current study, we evaluated the usefulness of a fluorescence-based assay for determining the efficacies of antibabesial compounds against bovine and equine hemoparasites in in vitro cultures. Three different hematocrits (HCTs; 2.5%, 5%, and 10%) were used without daily replacement of the medium. The results of a high-throughput screening assay revealed that the best HCT was 2.5% for bovine Babesia parasites and 5% for equine Babesia and Theileria parasites. The IC50 values of diminazene aceturate obtained by fluorescence and microscopy did not differ significantly. Likewise, the IC50 values of luteolin, pyronaridine tetraphosphate, nimbolide, gedunin, and enoxacin did not differ between the two methods. In conclusion, our fluorescence-based assay uses low HCT and does not require daily replacement of culture medium, making it highly suitable for in vitro large-scale drug screening against Babesia and Theileria parasites that infect cattle and horses.

Trichostatin A, a potential drug for treatment of animal Babesia infections

In the present study, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of trichostatin A on the asexual growth of bovine, equine, and canine Babesia parasites in vitro as well as on the in vivo growth of Babesia microti (B.microti) in mice. The growth of Babesia bovis (B.bovis), Babesia bigemina (B.bigemina), Babesia caballi (B.caballi), Theileria equi (T.equi), and Babesia gibsoni (B.gibsoni) species was significantly inhibited (P &lt; 0.05) by very low concentrations of trichostatin A (IC50 values = 2.6, 2.4, 2.3, 2.4, and 2.3 nM, respectively). Furthermore, in B.microti-infected mice, trichostatin A caused significant higher (P &lt; 0.05) inhibition of the growth of B.microti at the dose of 2 mg/kg body weight than that in the control group. These results indicated the trichostatin A might be a chemotherapeutic agent for treatment of babesiosis. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5564/mjas.v11i2.210 Mongolian Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol.11(2) 2013 pp.24-26

Analyses of the binding between Theileria orientalis major piroplasm surface proteins and bovine red blood cells

Theileria orientalis is a tick-transmitted, intraerythrocytic protozoan belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa. It is a member of the non-transforming group of Theileria species ( Theileria sergenti / buffeli / orientalis...

Identification of Babesia species and vector ticks in equine in Meyaneh area

Babesiosis, a protozoan parasitic disease, caused by different species of Babesia . They transmitted by hard ticks, and can infected domestic, wild animals and rarely human. Babesiosis is a worldwide disease and their exclusively vectors are ticks. We tried to do a complete investigation to determine the Babesiosis in equine and also the Babesia vectors in Meyane area North West of Iran from March to December 2009.For this aim total of 300 horse and ass were selected randomly for identification of infection with Babesia in blood smears and ticks on their bodies. The blood smears were taken from external veins of ear and stained with Gimsa. During this surveytotal of 300 examined equine, 49 (16.4%) were infected by ticks. 18 of the infected cases were horses that among them 9 were infected by Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum , 3 were infected by Rhipicephalus bursa and one case had Haemaphysalis punctate and the other ones had simultaneously ticks infection. 31 asses were infected too, 14 had Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, 8 had Rhipicephalus bursa and 2 of them were infected by Haemaphysalis punctate. 5 stained blood smear of horses shown infection by Babesia equi but there were no Babesia infection in ass blood smears. In order to the results, the most common species of Babesia that infect horses in Meyaneh area is Babesiaequi (4.1%), and the most tick infestation were Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum (11.66%).

Serosurveillance of infectious agents in equines of the Central Valley of Costa Rica

Blood samples from 181 equines from the Central Valley of Costa Rica were collected in the year 2012 to determine the presence of antibodies against selected infectious agents in horses and to determine the risk factors associated with these agents. The presence of antibodies against Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV), Equine Herpes Virus 1 and 4 (EHV-1 and EHV-4), West Nile Virus (WNV), Influenza A Virus (IAV), Equine Viral Arteritis Virus (EVAV), Babesia caballi, Theileria equi, Neospora caninum and Chlamydia abortus was determined using commercial assays, and risk factors associated with seropositivity to the different infectious agents was established. The most seroprevalent agent detected was EHV-4 (96.7%), followed by WNV (44.2%), and IAV (41.8%). Horses &gt;3 years, used for work or sports, and with access to pastures, had significantly increased probability to be seropositive to WNV, whereas horses used for breeding and recreational purposes, being stabled, and without access to pastures, had significantly greater probability to be seropositive to IAV. Seroprevalence to B. caballi (19.9%) was lower than to T. equi (38.1%). For B. caballi, access to pastures was determined as a risk factor, whereas being older than 3 years was established as a risk factor for T. equi. Low seroprevalences were determined for EHV-1 (5.0%), EVAV (5.0%), C. abortus (4.8%), and N. caninum (4.4%). Mares having history of abortion were more likely to be seropositive to EHV-1, whereas horses &gt;3 years, used for work and sports, and mares having multiple parturitions, were more likely to be seropositive to N. caninum. None of the horses were seropositive to EIAV. Earlier, only diseases caused by EIAV, WNV and piroplasmosis were reported in Costa Rica. The present study however, determined the presence of carriers for EHV-1, EHV-4, and EIAV.

Inhibitory effect of allicin on the growth of Babesia and Theileria equi parasites

Allicin is an active ingredient of garlic that has antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiprotozoal activity. However, the inhibitory effects of allicin on Babesia parasites have not yet been examined. In the present study, allicin was tested as a potent inhibitor against the in vitro growth of bovine and equine Babesia parasites and the in vivo growth of Babesia microti in a mouse model. The in vitro growth of Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, Babesia caballi, or Theileria equi was inhibited by allicin in a dose-dependent manner and had IC50 values of 818, 675, 470, and 742 μM, respectively. Moreover, allicin significantly inhibited (P < 0.001) invasion of B. bovis, B. bigemina, B. caballi, and T. equi into the host erythrocyte. Furthermore, mice treated with 30 mg/kg of allicin for 5 days significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the parasitemia of B. microti over the period of the study. To further examine the potential synergism of allicin with diminazene aceturate, growth inhibitory assays were performed in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, combinations of diminazene aceturate with allicin synergistically potentiated its inhibitory effects in vitro and in vivo. These results indicate that allicin might be beneficial for the treatment of babesiosis, particularly when used in combination with diminazene aceturate.

Babesia equi–induced anemia in a Quarter Horse and subsequent regulatory response

A 7-year-old Quarter Horse gelding used for unsanctioned racing was examined because of fever and anorexia. Physical examination revealed fever, tachycardia, and tachypnea. Results of a CBC indicated anemia and mild thrombocytopenia. Results of microscopic examination of a blood smear indicated piroplasms in erythrocytes, consistent with Babesia spp. Regulatory authorities were contacted, and results of serologic testing at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed acute Babesia equi infection. Equids on the home premises of the index horse were placed under quarantine. Those equids were tested for piroplasmosis, and 6 of 63 horses had positive results for B equi. Another horse that had previously been housed on the index premises also had positive results for B equi. Competent tick vectors for piroplasmosis organisms were not identified. All 8 horses with piroplasmosis were Quarter Horses that participated in unsanctioned racing and were trained by the same person. Two of the horses were illegally removed from the index premises; these 2 horses and the other horse with piroplasmosis that was previously housed on the index premises could not be found. The other 5 horses with piroplasmosis were euthanized. Investigators concluded that transmission of B equi among horses was most likely iatrogenic. The United States has been considered piroplasmosis free. However, veterinarians should consider piroplasmosis in horses with signalments and clinical signs similar to those of the index horse of this report. Regulatory authorities should be contacted regarding horses in which piroplasmosis is suspected.

Comparative genomic analysis and phylogenetic position of Theileria equi

BackgroundTransmission of arthropod-borne apicomplexan parasites that cause disease and result in death or persistent infection represents a major challenge to global human and animal health. First described in 1901 as Piroplasma equi, this re-emergent apicomplexan parasite was renamed Babesia equi and subsequently Theileria equi, reflecting an uncertain taxonomy. Understanding mechanisms by which apicomplexan parasites evade immune or chemotherapeutic elimination is required for development of effective vaccines or chemotherapeutics. The continued risk of transmission of T. equi from clinically silent, persistently infected equids impedes the goal of returning the U. S. to non-endemic status. Therefore comparative genomic analysis of T. equi was undertaken to: 1) identify genes contributing to immune evasion and persistence in equid hosts, 2) identify genes involved in PBMC infection biology and 3) define the phylogenetic position of T. equi relative to sequenced apicomplexan parasites.ResultsThe known immunodominant proteins, EMA1, 2 and 3 were discovered to belong to a ten member gene family with a mean amino acid identity, in pairwise comparisons, of 39%. Importantly, the amino acid diversity of EMAs is distributed throughout the length of the proteins. Eight of the EMA genes were simultaneously transcribed. As the agents that cause bovine theileriosis infect and transform host cell PBMCs, we confirmed that T. equi infects equine PBMCs, however, there is no evidence of host cell transformation. Indeed, a number of genes identified as potential manipulators of the host cell phenotype are absent from the T. equi genome. Comparative genomic analysis of T. equi revealed the phylogenetic positioning relative to seven apicomplexan parasites using deduced amino acid sequences from 150 genes placed it as a sister taxon to Theileria spp.ConclusionsThe EMA family does not fit the paradigm for classical antigenic variation, and we propose a novel model describing the role of the EMA family in persistence. T. equi has lost the putative genes for host cell transformation, or the genes were acquired by T. parva and T. annulata after divergence from T. equi. Our analysis identified 50 genes that will be useful for definitive phylogenetic classification of T. equi and closely related organisms.

English

The present study shows at least 32 animal diseases of different etiological factors found to be prevalent in South Kordofan State. The most economically important ones are: foot and mouth disease, pox infections, lumpy skin disease, hemorrhagic septicemia, black quarter, contagious bovine pleuro pneumonia, and parasites infestations. Practically, all of these diseases have local names and most of them can be diagnosed by animal owners from the clinical signs. Traditional treatment of many animal diseases was found to be a common practice particularly herbal treatment. Tar (Gutran), Aradaib (Tamarindus mdica), Garad (Acacia nilotica) and cauterization (Kai) were the most used traditional treatment for a number of diseases and non-inflammatory conditions. The study also showed that the animal owners receive veterinary services from the government, private sector, NGOs and Community Base Animal Health Workers (CBAHWs). They are aware of all important infectious conditions and zoonotic diseases in the area as well as their treatment using veterinary drugs preparations or traditional therapies. The trial of treating natural mange infection in donkeys showed that treatment by veterinary drugs (combined drug- mangezal, cypermethrine and ivermectin paste) was most superior followed by the traditional treatment with tar (Gutran) which was considered to be the best alternative for treating mange in animals. The current study revealed that infection with blood parasites was common. 70% of bovine blood smears were positive for the blood parasites:Theileria spp., Babesia spp., Trypanosoma vivax and Trypanosoma conglense. 80, 3.7, 19.4, 16 and 7.1% of blood samples taken from sheep, goats, camels, donkeys and horses, were positive for blood parasites, respectively. In sheep and goats, Theileria spp. and Babesia spp. were detected. The prevalence was much higher in sheep. On the other hand, only Trypanosoma evansi was diagnosed in camels and only Babesia equi infection was found in equines. The prevalence of babesiosis and trypanosomosis was higher in the rainy season compared with the dry season, but that of thieleriosis in ruminants was higher in the dry season. Keywords: Animal Diseases, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Sudan

Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects of fusidic acid on Babesia and Theileria parasites

Fusidic acid known to has antibacterial, antifungal, and antimalarial activities. Fusidic acid blocks translation elongation factor G gene in Plasmodium falciparum. In the present study, the inhibitory effects of fusidic acid on the in vitro growth of bovine and equine Babesia parasites were evaluated. The inhibitory effect of fusidic acid on the in vivo growth of Babesia microti was also assessed. The in vitro growth of four Babesia species that were tested was significantly inhibited (P<0.05) by micromolar concentrations of fusidic acid (IC50 values=144.8, 17.3, 33.3, and 56.25μM for Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, Babesia caballi, and Theileria equi, respectively). Combinations of fusidic acid with diminazene aceturate synergistically potentiated its inhibitory effects in vitro on B. bovis and B. caballi. In B. microti-infected mice, fusidic acid caused significant (P<0.05) inhibition of the growth of B. microti at the dose of 500mg/kg BW relative to control group. These results indicate that fusidic acid might be incorporated in treatment of babesiosis.

Successful therapeutic management of concurrent subclinical Eimeria leukarti and Babesia (Theileria) equi infection in a mare.

The occurrence of Eimeria leukarti infection in equine is being sporadically documented despite its cosmopolitan prevalence. A Marwari mare, aged 3years and 6months and owned by a socio-economically weaker class of labourer of royal families, was suffering from non specific enteric disorders. Detailed systemic clinical examination of mare confirmed subclinical enteric infection with E. leukarti and piroplasms of Babesia (Theileria) equi in the circulating erythrocytes. She was therapeutically managed with synchronous administration of specific and supportive therapy with success. Non specific clinical manifestations of the disease in equines, its debatable pathogenic significance, predisposing immunosuppressive impact of concurrent B. (T.) equi in circulating erythrocytes and probable reasons for under reporting of the disease in equines, etc. have been discussed.

EVALUATION OF HEMOGRAM AND BIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF EQUINE CLINICALLY INFECTED WITH BABESIOSIS

Hemogram, acid base balance, blood gas analysis and acute phase response have been evaluated in horses clinically infected with babesiosis in Mosul, Iraq. The study was conducted on 100 local horse breed ranging from 3-10 years old of both sexes. Eighty local horse breed were clinically infected with Babesia spp .which diagnosed by Giemsa stained blood smears and confirmed by C-Elisa test. 20 clinically normal horses served as control group. Results indicated statistically significant decrease (P<0.05) in TRBCs, Hb, and PCV values in diseased animals, Macrocytic hypochromic type of anemia was found and the percentage of hemoparasitism (parasitemia) ranged between (5-24%)with a mean of (16.57%).The results also indicated a significant increase in TLC as a result of significant increase of lymphocytes. Babesia equi were detected in 63.75% whereas Babesia caballi detected in 36.25%. Statistically significant decrease were encountered in blood pH, Pco2, bicarbonate ions, Base excess and Oxygen saturation percent (So2) in diseased horses than in controls, However statistically increase in anionic gab have been detected, Moreover titrational metabolic acidosis were indicated. Statistically significant difference have been encountered in acute phase response as haptoglobin and fibrinogen values were decreased in clinically infected horses. It have been concluded that different adverse effect, hemolytic anemia, tissue hypoxia beside decrease acute phase response were encountered in horses infected with Babesia spp.