Aziz Khalid Jabar, Barwary Lokman Taib Omer Al-, Issa Nawzat Aboziad, Abdulwahid Muhsin Jamil
Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
Pathology and Microbiology Department, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Duhok, Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
Acta Parasitol. 2025 Jan 24;70(1):38. doi: 10.1007/s11686-024-00987-9.
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Theileria equi (T. equi) and Babesia caballi (B. caballi) in racing horses in Erbil Province, Iraq, and to assess the associated hemato-biochemical changes in infected animals.
A total of 196 horses, including 155 clinically healthy and 41 clinically suspected infected animals, were examined using Giemsa-stained blood films and PCR to determine the prevalence rates. Additionally, the hemato-biochemical parameters of infected horses were compared to a non-infected control group (n = 10).
The prevalence of T. equi and B. caballi was determined using two diagnostic methods. Giemsa-stained blood smear analysis revealed prevalence rates of 15.8% (31/196) for T. equi and 5.1% (10/196) for B. caballi. In comparison, conventional PCR targeting the 18 S rRNA gene detected higher prevalence rates of 22.44% (44/196) for T. equi and 8.2% (16/196) for B. caballi. The prevalence of T. equi was significantly higher than that of B. caballi (P < 0.001). Infected horses exhibited significant hematological alterations, including microcytic anemia, with notable reductions in RBCs, Hb, and PCV, along with increased WBCs, lymphocytes and basophils compared to the healthy control group. Biochemical analysis revealed significant increases in AST, ALT, ALP, and total serum bilirubin, and decreases in total serum protein, albumin, calcium, and glucose in infected horses.
These findings highlight the urgent need for heightened awareness, effective diagnostic methods, and targeted treatment strategies to combat equine piroplasmosis among racing horses in Erbil Province, Iraq.
本研究旨在确定伊拉克埃尔比勒省赛马中马泰勒虫（T. equi）和驽巴贝斯虫（B. caballi）的流行率，并评估感染动物相关的血液生化变化。
共检查了196匹马，其中包括155匹临床健康的马和41匹临床疑似感染的动物，使用吉姆萨染色血片和聚合酶链反应（PCR）来确定流行率。此外，将感染马的血液生化参数与未感染的对照组（n = 10）进行比较。
使用两种诊断方法确定了T. equi和B. caballi的流行率。吉姆萨染色血涂片分析显示，T. equi的流行率为15.8%（31/196），B. caballi的流行率为5.1%（10/196）。相比之下，针对18 S rRNA基因的常规PCR检测到T. equi的流行率更高，为22.44%（44/196），B. caballi的流行率为8.2%（16/196）。T. equi的流行率显著高于B. caballi（P < 0.001）。与健康对照组相比，感染马表现出明显的血液学改变，包括小红细胞性贫血，红细胞、血红蛋白和红细胞压积显著降低，同时白细胞、淋巴细胞和嗜碱性粒细胞增加。生化分析显示，感染马的天冬氨酸转氨酶、丙氨酸转氨酶、碱性磷酸酶和总血清胆红素显著增加，总血清蛋白、白蛋白、钙和葡萄糖降低。
这些发现凸显了迫切需要提高认识、采用有效的诊断方法和针对性的治疗策略，以对抗伊拉克埃尔比勒省赛马中的马焦虫病。
