Review article

https://doi.org/10.46419/vs.52.1.1

Equine piroplasmosis

Jelena Gotić ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Martina Crnogaj ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Iva Šmit ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Nika Brkljača Bottegaro ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Darko Grden ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Vladimir Mrljak ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Relja Beck ; Croatian Veterinary Institute, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Equine piroplasmosis is a haemoprotozoic disease of wide geographical distribution and worldwide significance, caused by two
haemoprotozoans, Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. The occurrence of piroplasmosis is closely related to the geographical distribution and seasonal activity of the carriers of ixodid ticks. Intraerytocytic piroplasms of T. equi and B. caballi cause acute, subacute or chronic disease in equines, and may also cause neonatal babesiosis and abortion in mares. Pathogenicity and clinical manifestation differ for each of the causative agents of piroplasmosis, due to their specific life cycles. Many horses remain subclinically infected with low parasitemia and inapparent disease. Diagnosis of horse piroplasmosis is performed by direct (evidence of the parasite) and indirect methods (evidence of specific antibodies). Differential diagnoses of equine piroplasmosis include equine influenza, equine infectious anaemia, as well as anaplasmosis and borreliosis as significant tick-borne equine diseases.

Keywords

horse; piroplasmosis; Babesia caballi; Theileria equi

Hrčak ID:

239426

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/239426

Publication date:

25.11.2020.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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