Genetic Characterization of Piroplasms in Donkeys and Horses from Nigeria

• Main Authors: Idoko Sunday Idoko, Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Monica Leszkowicz Mazuz, Babagana Mohammed Adam, Bello Sikiti Garba, Daniel Wesley Nafarnda, Amir Steinman
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-02-01
• Series: Animals
• Subjects: <i>theileria equi</i>; <i>babesia caballi</i>; donkeys; horses; nigeria
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/2/324

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease of equids, caused by the two haemoprotozoal parasites: <i>Theileria equi</i> and <i>Babesia caballi</i>. 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 horses. EP infection was detected and characterized by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Twenty five donkeys (43.8%) were infected with <i>T. equi</i>, five (8.8%) with <i>B. caballi</i>, three (5.3%) with dual infections. Four horses (8.5%) were infected by <i>T. equi</i> and none by <i>B. caballi</i>. Four of the five known <i>T. equi 18S rRNA</i> genotypes (A, B, C and D) were identified. <i>Theileria equi ema-1</i> and <i>ema-2</i> genes were amplified in only 2 and 10 samples, respectively, showing no genetic variation. All <i>B. caballi</i> isolates were classified as <i>rap-1</i> genotype A1. Twenty-two (42.3%) of the donkeys were positive for anti-<i>T. equi</i> antibodies and 29 (55.8%) were positive for anti-<i>B. caballi</i> antibodies, using immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). The study results demonstrate high genetic variation within <i>T. equi</i> parasites, suggesting that donkeys may be reservoirs of EP parasites in West Africa.