Genetic Characterization of Piroplasms in Donkeys and Horses from Nigeria

Genetic Characterization of Piroplasms in Donkeys and Horses from Nigeria

Blog Article

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease of equids, caused by the two haemoprotozoal parasites: Theileria equi and Babesia caballi.Nigeria constitutes a major crossroads of animal transport in West Africa and may serve as a factor in EP dissemination in the region.The study aim was to characterize EP parasites in donkeys and horses in northern Nigeria using a molecular approach.

Blood was collected from 57 donkeys and 47 Headset horses.EP infection was detected and characterized by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Twenty five donkeys (43.

8%) were infected with T.equi, five (8.8%) with B.

caballi, three (5.3%) with dual infections.Four horses (8.

5%) were infected by T.equi and none by B.caballi.

Four of the five known T.equi 18S rRNA genotypes (A, B, C and D) were identified.Theileria equi ema-1 and ema-2 genes were Cup Holder amplified in only 2 and 10 samples, respectively, showing no genetic variation.

All B.caballi isolates were classified as rap-1 genotype A1.Twenty-two (42.

3%) of the donkeys were positive for anti-T.equi antibodies and 29 (55.8%) were positive for anti-B.

caballi antibodies, using immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT).The study results demonstrate high genetic variation within T.equi parasites, suggesting that donkeys may be reservoirs of EP parasites in West Africa.