Seroprevalence of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in the Swiss horse population. 2010

Liv Sigg, and Vincent Gerber, and Bruno Gottstein, and Marcus G Doherr, and Caroline F Frey
Equine Clinic, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Berne, Bern, Switzerland.

In Switzerland, the prevalence and incidence of equine piroplasma parasite (EPP) infections are unknown. In order to obtain a first insight into the prevalence, a representative sample of 689 sera of horses from Switzerland was serologically tested for the presence of antibodies directed against T. equi and B. caballi using the Indirect Fluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT). A total of 50 (7.3%) horses were seropositive for EPP: overall, the seroprevalence of T. equi was significantly higher than that of B. caballi (p=0.002). The seropositivities in indigenous horses (animals bred and raised in Switzerland) and in imported horses were 4.8% (11/230) and 8.5% (39/459), respectively. Unlike in indigenous horses, where no significant difference in seroprevalences could be observed between the two parasite species, the seroprevalence of T. equi was significantly higher (p<0.001) than that of B. caballi in imported horses. Horses imported from France, Spain and Portugal exhibited a significantly higher seroprevalence, and horses imported from Germany a significantly lower seroprevalence of EPP compared to indigenous horses. There were no associations between sex, age, weight loss, surgery or blood transfusions with T. equi and B. caballi seroprevalences. The overall seroprevalence of 7.3% clearly shows that infection with EPP is a threat to the health of the horses in Switzerland. With the presumed expansion of permissive tick vectors, EPP infections will potentially increase in importance in the future. Therefore, continuous monitoring is mandatory.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D005260 Female Females
D006734 Horse Diseases Diseases of domestic and wild horses of the species Equus caballus. Equine Diseases,Disease, Equine,Disease, Horse,Diseases, Equine,Diseases, Horse,Equine Disease,Horse Disease
D006736 Horses Large, hoofed mammals of the family EQUIDAE. Horses are active day and night with most of the day spent seeking and consuming food. Feeding peaks occur in the early morning and late afternoon, and there are several daily periods of rest. Equus caballus,Equus przewalskii,Horse, Domestic,Domestic Horse,Domestic Horses,Horse,Horses, Domestic
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000913 Antibodies, Protozoan Immunoglobulins produced in a response to PROTOZOAN ANTIGENS. Protozoan Antibodies
D001403 Babesia A genus of tick-borne protozoan parasites that infests the red blood cells of mammals, including humans. There are many recognized species, and the distribution is world-wide. Piroplasma,Babesias,Piroplasmas
D001404 Babesiosis A group of tick-borne diseases of mammals including ZOONOSES in humans. They are caused by protozoa of the genus BABESIA, which parasitize erythrocytes, producing hemolysis. In the U.S., the organism's natural host is mice and transmission is by the deer tick IXODES SCAPULARIS. Babesiasis,Piroplasmosis,Babesia Infection,Babesia Parasite Infection,Human Babesiosis,Babesia Infections,Babesia Parasite Infections,Babesiases,Babesioses,Babesioses, Human,Babesiosis, Human,Human Babesioses,Infection, Babesia,Infection, Babesia Parasite,Infections, Babesia,Infections, Babesia Parasite,Piroplasmoses
D013557 Switzerland A country in Europe. It is bordered by Austria, France, Italy, Liechtenstein, and Germany. The capital is Bern.
D013801 Theileriasis Infection of cattle, sheep, or goats with protozoa of the genus THEILERIA. This infection results in an acute or chronic febrile condition. Corridor Disease,East Coast Fever,Theileriosis,Coast Fever, East,Disease, Corridor,Fever, East Coast,Theileriases,Theilerioses

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