Comparative seroprevalence and risk factor analysis of Trypanosoma evansi infection in equines from different agro-climatic zones of Punjab (India)

Abstract

As parasitaemia is low and fluctuating during the chronic stage of infection, accurate detection of Trypanosoma evansi in blood is difficult. The primary aims of this investigation were to assess for the first time the seroprevalence of T. evansi in all agro-climatic zones of Punjab, by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) and card agglutination test (CATT/T. evansi), and to evaluate the risk factors associated with latent trypanosomosis. A total of 319 equine serum samples collected from 12 districts of Punjab (India) belonging to different agro-climatic zones revealed 39 (12.23%) and 9 (2.82%) samples to be positive by CATT/T. evansi and iELISA, respectively. The highest prevalence was recorded from the Ludhiana district (42.86% and 7.14% by CATT/T. evansi and iELISA, respectively) in the central plain zone (for which the overall prevalence was 15% and 4.17%, respectively). There was fair agreement between the tests for the detection of T. evansi (kappa = 0.345). Species was the most influential risk factor for infection, with odds ratios (ORs) of 2.81 and 5.63 for donkeys/ mules, in comparison with horses, by CATT/T. evansi and iELISA, respectively. The female equine population (OR = 3.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.32-7.67 [CATT]) was found to be at a higher risk of seropositivity for T. evansi, particularly on 'unorganised' (inappropriately managed) farms (OR = 3.18, 95% CI = 1.53- 6.65 [CATT]) and among animals used for commercial purposes (OR = 2.51, 95% CI = 1.20-5.21 [CATT]). In conclusion, to declare disease-free status, use of the iELISA followed by retesting of suspect samples by CATT/T. evansi is suggested.

Prevalence of Trypanosomiasis (Surra) in Horses of Saurashtra Region in Gujarat

“…The sex-wise prevalence of T. evansi was higher in females (68.75%; 11/16) than the male (31.25%; 5/16), and blood smears confirmed it in 87.50% females (7/8) and 12.50% in male (1/8). These findings were in agreement with the reports of Abdullah et al (2018), Sumbria et al (2017), Chavda et al (2015), and Mavadiya et al (2010), who reported that the males were less affected than the female horses. The reason for the difference was probably due to a greater population of females than males and gelding, their use as both draught and breeding animals, the management factors, and difference in vector population of the area of each study.…”

“…Similar findings were also reported by Sumbria et al (2017) and Abdullah et al (2018). These findings were, however in contrary to the observations of Mavadiya et al (2010) and Chavda et al (2015), who reported the highest incidence of T. evansi in adult horses followed by aged ones.…”

Sero-prevalence and immunological characterization of Trypanosoma evansi infection in livestock of four agro-climatic Zones of Himachal Pradesh, India

“…In contrary, several authors have reported higher prevalence of surra infection in female than male animals and was linked to numerous stress factors such as pregnancy and lactation in female animals, rendering them more susceptible to infection (Agrawal et ). In contrast, young equines were found to be at signi cantly higher risk of infection as compared to the adults (Sumbria et al, 2017). In bovines, increasing sero-positivity with age could be attributable to antibody persistence due to the chronic nature of disease, rather than an age-speci c component.…”

Evaluation of surra treatment strategies attacking horses and buffaloes in East Sumba District, Nusa Tenggara Timur Province of Indonesia (2010 – 2016)

“…It puts horses under severe risk because buffaloes and cattle act as a source of T. evansi infection (Kundu et al 2013). Sumbria et al (2017) stated that open grazing practices in equine might increase the risk of the infection. Advanced management and disease control program is fundamentally needed to reduce the chance of T. evansi infection in equines.…”