Genetic Characterization of Piroplasms in Donkeys and Horses from Nigeria.

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease of equids, caused by the two haemoprotozoal parasites: and 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 , five (8.8%) with three (5.3%) with dual infections. Four horses (8.5%) were infected by and none by . Four of the five known genotypes (A, B, C and D) were identified. and genes were amplified in only 2 and 10 samples, respectively, showing no genetic variation. All isolates were classified as genotype A1. Twenty-two (42.3%) of the donkeys were positive for anti- antibodies and 29 (55.8%) were positive for anti- antibodies, using immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). The study results demonstrate high genetic variation within parasites, suggesting that donkeys may be reservoirs of EP parasites in West Africa.