Seroprevalence of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in horses and mules from NorthernThailand

摘要

In the present study the seroprevalence of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, the causative agents for equine piroplasmosis was investigated in Northern Thailand through a cross sectional survey carried out in December 2011. Two hundred forty equidssera from a complex of farms located in Chiang Mai Province were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Overall seroprevalence of T. equi by ELISA and IFAT was5.42% (13/240) and 8.75% (21/240) while that of B. caballi was 2.50% (6/240) and 5.00% (12/240), respectively. Molecular assay found T. equi infection in 3 mules (1.25%) while none of B. caballi was detected. The IFAT results showed that prevalence of T. equi was significantly higher in mules (10.73%) than in horses (3.17%), whereas prevalence of B. caballi was higher in horses (11.11%) than in mules (2.82%). Risk factor analysis based on IFAT results showed that occupation related to the host breed was significantly associated to equine piroplasmosis seropositivity (p < 0.05). Present results provide important information regarding the prevalence of equine piroplasmosis in horses and mules in the Northern region of Thailand, which should be beneficial for better prevention and control of this disease.