Veterinaria

Review Article

Equine Piroplasmosis: Current status

Deepak Sumbria, Aman Dev Moudgil, Lachhman Das Singla*

*Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, 141004, Ludhiana, India

Abstract

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) caused by apicomplexan haemoprotozoan parasites, Babesia caballi and Theileria equi poses a threat to intercontinental maneuver of equids. It is diffused by infected ixodid ticks, contaminated blood sources needlesand also by transplacental route. For potent chemotherapy to be effective, timely confirmation is required along with a swift test to provide an early diagnosis. Affirmation of EP in blood smear or by in vitro technique is an utter method of confirmation, but for this well-furnished laboratory, experienced person and more time is required. So, many different serodiagnostic tests such as the complement fixation test (CFT), indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), enzyme linked immuneosorbent assay (ELISA) has been recommended for detecting the presence of antibodies to Babesia spp. These have several disadvantages, including low sensitivity for detecting latent infections and false-positive results. To increase sensitivity and differentiate between current and past infection ELISA may be an alternative, but its main demerit is its poor specificity and limited antigen supply. Now a day's more specific and accurate techniques are available for the direct detection of the parasites, i.e. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting different genes of DNA probes. Since there is no vaccine available for EP, thus, the control must include effective tick control, serological, molecular monitoring of equids and the application of antiprotozoal drugs.

Keywords: Babesia caballi,diagnosis, Equine Piroplasmosis, Theleria equi, Tick transmission.

Received: Jan 05, 2014; Revised: Feb 12, 2014; Accepted: Feb 24, 2014

*Corresponding author: L. D. Singla; E-mail: ldsingla@gmail.com