BackgroundEquine piroplasmosis (EP) caused by Theileria equi, Babesia caballi, or both, contributes to significant economic loss in the equine industry and remains uncontrolled in Egypt. This study focuses on surveying T. equi and B. caballi infections and hematological disorders in equine populations in Egypt.MethodsTheileria equi and B. caballi infections were assessed in blood from 88 horses and 51 donkeys in Egypt using light microscopy, indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT), nested PCR (nPCR), and competitive-ELISA (cELISA) assays. PCR products were examined for specificity by DNA sequencing. Hematological alterations were evaluated using a standard cell counter.ResultsMicroscopic analysis revealed EP infection in 11.4 % and 17.8 % of horses and donkeys respectively. IFAT detected 23.9 % and 17.0 % infection of T. equi and B. caballi, respectively, in horses, and 31.4 % of T. equi and B. caballi in donkeys. T. equi cELISA detected 14.8 % and 23.5 % positive horses and donkeys, respectively, but the B. caballi RAP-1-based cELISA failed to detect any positives, a result hypothesized to be caused by sequence polymorphism found in the rap-1 genes. Nested-PCR analysis identified 36.4 % and 43.1 % positive horses and donkeys, respectively for T. equi and it also identified 19.3 % and 15.7 % positive horses and donkeys, respectively for B. caballi. The overall EP incidence found in the population under study was relatively high and comparable regardless of the diagnostic method used (56.8 % using nPCR and 48.9 % using IFAT). Hematologic analysis revealed macrocytic hypochromic anemia and thrombocytopenia in all piroplasma-infected horses.ConclusionsThe data confirm relatively high levels of EP, likely causing hematological abnormalities in equines in Egypt, and also suggest the need for an improved serological test to diagnose B. caballi infection in this region.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1539-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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() remains important nematode that infecting sheep all over the world. Truthful diagnosis of haemonchosis needs reliable Enzyme linked immune sorbent assay test as well as the immuno-reactive protein profile of different prepared antigens; larval (L), excretory secretory product (ESP) and adult somatic (AS). The current study fulfilled that L antigen is the talented antigen for such serological diagnosis. Immunodominant band at molecular weight 57 kDa were answerable for highest specificity and accuracy of positive predictive value of this antigen. Moreover, the highest apparent prevalence value was 92 and 75% obtained by L and ESP antigens, respectively. The results of cross reactivity among AS () and spp. revealed that AS antigen appeared major cross reactivity with other cestode and trematode. Best dilution of serum was (1:800) to rise above this phenomenon.

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In this study, the essential oils of camphor and lavender were tested in vitro against the third instar larvae of Lucilia sericata for the first time, following dipping toxicity technique. The toxicity results revealed that L. sericata larvae were susceptible to the applied essential oils. Lavender oil was more effective than camphor in killing of L. sericata larvae. With 32 % concentration, the mortality percentages of larvae were 100 and 93.3 %, respectively. Light and scanning electron microscopic examinations were done to determine the cuticular changes of L. sericata larvae following exposure to the applied essential oils. Larvae showed cuticular swelling and distortion after oil treatment, but its level was greater with lavender oil. The current study suggested that an alternative, effective and natural product can be developed as larvicides against L. sericata using camphor and lavender oils.