First detection of Theileria equi in free-roaming donkeys (Equus africanus asinus) in Sri Lanka
First detection of Theileria equi in free-roaming donkeys (Equus africanus asinus) in Sri Lanka
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DOI：
10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105244
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发表时间：
2022-02-14
影响因子：
3.2
通讯作者：
Yokoyama, Naoaki
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Ahedor, Believe;Kothalawala, Hemal;Yokoyama, Naoaki
马梨形虫病（EP）是一种由马泰勒虫（Theileria equi）和卡巴利巴氏泰勒虫（Babelia caballi）引起的蜱传疾病，主要发生在马、驴、斑马和骡子等马科动物身上。它是全球流行病，对马产业产生重大经济影响。受感染的动物可能作为携带者，它们可能是蜱的感染源，从而对疾病管理构成巨大挑战。斯里兰卡是一个热带国家，各种蜱传寄生虫感染在牲畜中很常见。然而，T. equi和B.在斯里兰卡，caballi仍然未被研究。因此，在本研究中，我们进行了流行病学调查，以调查T。equi和B.骑着看起来健康的自由行走的驴子。从斯里兰卡马纳尔（n = 100）和基利诺奇（n = 11）地区的111头驴中随机抽取血液样本。从血液样品制备薄血涂片并进行显微镜检查。此外，制备血液DNA样品并筛选T。equi和B. caballi感染使用物种特异性PCR测定。结果表明，在所调查的驴中，有64头（57.7%）和95头（85.6%）为T.分别通过显微镜和PCR检测。然而，所有样本均为B阴性。卡巴利。系统发育分析表明，T.马18S rRNA序列检测到两种不同的基因型，即C和D。据我们所知，这是T.马在斯里兰卡和基因型C的驴。本研究强调了监测斯里兰卡驴种群萎缩的重要性，这是由于T。等。
Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in equids, including horses, donkeys, zebras, and mules. It is globally endemic with significant economic impact on the equine industry. Infected animals may serve as carriers, and they may be a source of infection for ticks, thereby posing a great challenge for disease management. Sri Lanka is a tropical country, where infections by various tick-borne parasites are common among livestock animals. However, infections by T. equi and B. caballi remain unstudied in Sri Lanka. Therefore, in the present study, we conducted an epidemiological survey to investigate the presence of T. equi and B. caballi in apparently healthy free-roaming donkeys. Blood samples were randomly taken from 111 donkeys in Mannar (n = 100) and Kilinochchi (n = 11) districts in Sri Lanka. Thin blood smears were prepared from the blood samples and subjected to microscopic examination. Additionally, blood DNA samples were prepared and screened for T. equi and B. caballi infections using species-specific PCR assays. Our results showed that 64 (57.7%) and 95 (85.6%) of the donkeys were positive for T. equi by microscopy and PCR, respectively. However, all samples were negative for B. caballi. Phylogenetic analysis of the T. equi 18S rRNA sequences detected two distinct genotypes, namely C and D. To our knowledge, this is the first report of T. equi in Sri Lanka and of genotype C in donkeys. The present study highlights the importance of monitoring the shrinking donkey population in Sri Lanka owing to EP caused by T. equi.