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Haemato-biochemical characterization of equine piroplasmosis asymptomatic carriers and seropositive, real-time PCR negative horses

Investigation published in Veterinary Parasitology

November 1st, 2023

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, transmitted by tick vectors. Horses can suffer an acute, subacute, and chronic forms of the disease, with clinical signs such as poor performance, fever, pale mucosal membranes, and jaundice. The diagnosis of EP subclinical cases is complex due to the sensitivity of real-time PCR and the limited parasite load in some carriers, making it challenging to differentiate them from seropositive, PCR negative (S+PCR-) individuals. This study aimed to describe haematological and biochemical changes in asymptomatic EP carriers, EP S+PCR- horses and control horses (EP seronegative and PCR negative). It also investigated potential haemato-biochemical markers to aid in distinguishing true EP carriers alongside molecular and serological tests. A comprehensive haematology and biochemistry profile was conducted on 410 sera and EDTA blood samples, comprising 130 EP positives by real-time PCR and competitive ELISA (cELISA) (carriers), 130 EP negatives by real-time PCR but positive to cELISA (S+PCR-) and 150 EP negative horses to real-time PCR and c-ELISA (controls). Our study confirmed that a haematological and biochemistry profile could help to differentiate between EP carriers/S+PCR- from healthy horses. Carriers and S+PCR- horses showed significant increases in the white blood cell count (WBC), high total proteins (TP) and total globulins (GLOB) concentration, and liver function markers compared to controls. Additionally, the evaluation of uric acid (UA) suggested oxidative stress in carrier horses. However, no useful haemato-biochemical diagnostic markers were identified to aid the challenging differentiation of EP carriers and S+PCR- horses, highlighting the need for improvement in molecular/serological diagnosis for these horses




Dorrego-Rodriguez A., Camino E., Gago F., Buendia A., Acurio Cutschi KL., Gonzalez S., de Juan L. and Cruz F..




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Haemato-biochemical characterization of equine piroplasmosis asymptomatic carriers and seropositive, real-time PCR negative horses

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Haemato-biochemical characterization of equine piroplasmosis asymptomatic carriers and seropositive, real-time PCR negative horses



Participants:

Universidad ComplutenseServicio de Vigilancia Sanitaria Equina (SEVISEQ). Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM).

Diagnostica Stago, S.L.UDiagnostica Stago, S.L.U.

Universidad ComplutenseDepartamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM).







Veterinary Parasitology
FACTOR YEAR Q
2.600 2023

NLMID: 7602745

PMID: 37826971

ISSN: 0304-4017



TITLE: Haemato-biochemical characterization of equine piroplasmosis asymptomatic carriers and seropositive, real-time PCR negative horses


JOURNAL: Vet Parasitol


NUMERACIÓN: 323:110046


AÑO: 2023


PUBLISHER: Elsevier


AUTHORS: Dorrego-Rodriguez A., Camino E., Gago F., Buendia A., Acurio Cutschi KL., Gonzalez S., de Juan L. and Cruz F..


First
Abel Dorrego Rodríguez
4th
Aránzazu Buendía Andrés
6th
Sergio González Domínguez
7th
Lucía de Juan Ferré
Last
Fátima Cruz López

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.110046


CITE THIS PUBLICATION:

Dorrego-Rodriguez A., Camino E., Gago F., Buendia A., Acurio Cutschi KL., Gonzalez S., de Juan L. and Cruz F. Haemato-biochemical characterization of equine piroplasmosis asymptomatic carriers and seropositive, real-time PCR negative horses. Veterinary Parasitology. 323:110046. 2023. (A). ISSN: 0304-4017. DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.110046


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