Occurrence of Theileria equi in horses raised in the Jaboticabal microregion, São Paulo State, Brazil

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The erythrocytic-stage surface protein, Equi Merozoite Antigen 1 (EMA-1), is a major candidate for the development of a diagnostic antigen for equine piroplasmosis. In order to establish an effective diagnostic method for practical use, the gene encoding the entire EMA-1 of Theileria equi Jaboticabal strain was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli as a histidine-tagged protein (His6-EMA1). The expressed EMA-1 reacted with specific antibodies in Western blot and had an apparent molecular mass of 34 kDa which was largely consistent with its theoretical value. The nucleotide sequence of the EMA-1 gene of Jaboticabal strain was comparatively analyzed with other published sequences. The results indicated a high degree of homology with EMA-1 genes of all other strains isolated from various countries. The recombinant purified His6-EMA1 protein was tested in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies anti-T. equi in horses. The ELISA clearly differentiated T. equi-infected from Babesia caballi-infected horse sera or normal horse sera. Field serum samples collected from horses in the State of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, were examined for the diagnosis of T. equi infection by ELISA. Of 170 samples analyzed, 95.88% (163/170) were positive for T. equi infection. These results suggest that the His6-EMA1 protein expressed in E. coli could be a reliable immunodiagnostic antigen for ELISA test and that T. equi infection is a serious concern in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 59%

Production of recombinant EMA-1 protein and its application for the diagnosis of Theileria equi using an enzyme immuno assay in horses from São Paulo State, Brazil

Baldani

Hilario

Nakaghi

et al. 2011

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“…In this country, the prevalence among horses ranges from 22 to 100% for T. equi (TENTER & FRIEDHOFF, 1986;PFEIFER BARBOSA et al, 1995;RIBEIRO et al, 1999;HEUCHERT et al, 1999;HEIM et al, 2007;GOLYNSKI et al, 2008;KERBER et al, 2009;BALDANI et al, 2010;SALVAGNI et al, 2010;MACHADO et al, 2012), and from 70 to 90% for B. caballi (PFEIFER BARBOSA et al, 1995;HEIM et al, 2007;KERBER et al, 2009;MACHADO et al, 2012), indicating that both parasites are endemic among horses.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Genetic diversity of piroplasmids species in equids from island of São Luís, northeastern Brazil

Braga

Costa

Gomes

et al. 2017

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Equine piroplasmosisis, a tick-borne disease caused by the intra-erythrocytic protozoans Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, has economic importance due to the international trade and the increased movement of horses all over the world. The goal of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of phylogenetic diversity of T. equi and B. caballi genotypes among infected equids from São Luís Island, state of Maranhão, northeastern Brazil. Between December of 2011 and June of 2012, EDTA-blood and serum samples were collected from 139 equids (90 donkeys, 39 horses and 10 mules). From 139 serum samples submitted to ELISA assay, IgG antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi were detected in 19.4% (27/139) and 25.2% (35/139), respectively. Among sampled animals, 21.6% (30/139) and 55.4% (77/139) were positive for cPCR assays for T. equi and B. caballi, based on ema-1 and rap-1 genes, respectively. Overall, the T. equi sequences (n=7) submitted to Maximum Likelihood analysis (based on a 18S rRNA fragment of 1700 bp after alignment) grouped into three main groups, which were subdivided in eight clusters. The present work showed that different genotypes of T. equi and B. caballi circulate among equids in Brazil.Keywords: Babesia caballi, Theileria equi, phylogeny, 18S rRNA. ResumoA piroplasmose equina, uma doença transmitida por carrapatos e causada pelos protozoários intra-eritrocíticos Babesia caballi e Theileria equi, tem importância econômica devido ao comércio internacional e ao aumento do movimento de cavalos em todo o mundo. O objetivo do presente estudo foi mostrar a diversidade filogenética de T. equi e B. caballi infectando cavalos, burros e jumentos na Ilha de São Luís, Estado do Maranhão, Nordeste do Brasil. Entre dezembro de 2011 e junho de 2012, amostras de sangue com EDTA e soro de foram coletadas de 139 equídeos (90 jumentos, 39 cavalos e 10 burros). Dentre as 139 amostras de soro submetidas ao ensaio de ELISA, foram detectados anticorpos IgG contra T. equi e B. caballi em 19,4% (27/139) e 25,2% (35/139), respectivamente. Entre os animais amostrados, 21,6% (30/139) e 55,4% (77/139) foram positivos por meio dos ensaios de cPCR para T. equi e B. caballi, com base nos genes ema-1 e rap-1, respectivamente. No geral, as sequências T. equi (n = 7) submetidas à análise de Máxima Verossimilhança (baseada em um fragmento do 18S rRNA de 1700 pb, após o alinhamento) foram agrupadas em três grupos principais, os quais foram subdivididos em oito grupos. O presente trabalho mostrou que diferentes genótipos de T. equi e B. caballi circulam entre equídeos no Brasil.Palavras-chave: Babesia caballi, Theileria equi, filogenia, 18S rRNA.

“…In one previous report (BALDANI et al, 2010) the high positivity rate for T. equi was attributed to the management of horses, which appears to be an important factor for the prevalence of T. equi infections. Additionally, climatic factors such as temperature, relative humidity, altitude and high rainfall influence the habitat of the main tick/vector species that parasite horses (GOLYNSKI et al, 2008).…”

mentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Previous studies in southern and central areas of the country have reported occurrences varying from 49.2% to 100% (HEUCHERT et al, 1999;CUNHA et al, 1996;LABRUNA et al, 2001;XUAN et al, 2001;BALDANI et al, 2004BALDANI et al, , 2010HEIM et al, 2007).…”

mentioning

confidence: 93%

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Seroprevalence rates of antibodies against Theileria equi in team roping horses from central-western region of Paraná

Prochno

Scorsin

Melo

et al. 2014

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The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Theileria equi in horses from central western region of Paraná state, Brazil. The presence of antibodies IgG against T. equi was determined in serum samples obtained from 400 team roping horses of the district of Guarapuava by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results showed that 242 (61%) animals were positive which demonstrates that equine piroplasmosis is widespread and therefore it might be a contributing factor for the irregular performance among athletes horses in the region studied. No association regarding age and sex were observed (p>0.05). To our knowledge, this is the first report describing a serological survey on equine piroplasmosis in the state of Paraná, Brazil.