Veterinaria

Review Article

Recent Diagnostic and control approaches in Equine piroplasmosis

Deepak Sumbria and LD Singla*

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

Abstract

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease of horses, mules, donkeys and zebra caused by the intra erytrocytic apicomplexan haemoprotozoan parasites Babesia caballi and Theileria equi. The introduction of carrier equines into areas in which tick vectors are present can lead to an epizootic spread of the disease. International movement of equines broaches a serious threat due to equine piroplasmosis. The EP is caused by, Babesia caballi and Theileria equi. Earlier, both conventional microscopic and serological test [complement fixation test (CFT), indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)] dwindle to diagnose the equines having the latent infection. Now to detect the parasites, more specific, sensitive and accurate PCR based techniques for molecular diagnosis are available. Up till now, no vaccine has been augmented, thus accentuating the need for accurate diagnosis and treatment of this haemoparasite. For meticulous diagnosis of EP, the test to be considered as a "gold standard" if it is sensitive enough to detect early both acute and chronic infections, specific for the differentiation between the two parasitic species, and it should be economical. For complete elimination of the EP, disease control programs must be integrated with the application of acaricides and grazing management policies. Moreover, for long-term prevention and control, it is important to have one or more vaccines directed against blood-feeding ticks and/or against B. caballi and T. equi sporozoites, or other stages of the hemoprotozoans that can be used to elicit a protective immune response in the host.

Keywords: Equine piroplasmosis, Babesia caballi, Theleria equi, Diagnosis, Treatment, Control.

Received December 10, 2014; Revised February 1, 2015; Accepted February 4, 2015

*Corresponding author Dr. L.D. Singla; Email: ldsingla@gmail.com; Phone: +91-9316061974