Molecular and serological surveillance of equine piroplasmosis in the Republic of Korea between 2016 and 2017

Abstract

Short CommunicationEquine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne protozoal disease in which horses, mules, donkeys, and zebras are infected with the hemoprotozoan parasites, Babesia caballi or Theileria equi from blood-sucking ticks [1,2]. EP causes serious economic damages, showing hemolytic anemia and associated systemic illness [1]. Furthermore, EP has been an obstacle to international trade as the disease designated by World Organization for Animal Health [3][4][5]. EP is an endemic disease prevalent in the tropical and subtropical regions and in some temperate regions [1,2]. It has predominantly been reported in Asia, South and Central America, Africa, Southern Europe, and some parts of southern USA [1,2].EP antigen diagnosis is performed by microscopic examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the antibody diagnosis is performed by indirect fluorescent antibody test, competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELI-SA), and complement fixation test [1]. Because of the reliability of the test and the convenience of mass testing, antigen diagnosis by PCR and antibody diagnosis by cELISA are mainly used [2]. EP in the Republic of Korea (ROK) was 0.9% T. equi-positivity from three provinces during 2007-2010 [3,4]. Climate change is having a significant impact on the increase in ticks and tick-borne diseases [2]. There is a need to investigate changes in the infection status of EP according to Korean Peninsula warming. In this study, we monitored the EP infectious status in ROK during 2016-2017, using PCR for antigen detection and cELISA for antibody detection. Subsequently, phylogenetic analysis was used to compare the genetic relationships.Horse blood and serum samples were collected as a part of the health manage-Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is caused by Babesia caballi and Theileria equi infection. We investigated antigen and antibody of EP in horses in the Republic of Korea during 2016-2017. Antigen and antibody of T. equi was detected 0.06% (1/1,650). Phylogenetic analysis of 18S rRNA revealed that the T. equi was highly homologous with the strains from China, Mongolia, and Spain. Two Theileria spp. were also detected and highly homologous with T. buffeli, T. luwenshuni, and T. orientalis.