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. 2014 Spring;5(2):129-33.

Detection of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi using microscopic and molecular methods in horses in suburb of Urmia, Iran

Farnaz Malekifard  1 , Mousa Tavassoli  1 , Mohammad Yakhchali  1 , Reza Darvishzadeh  2
Affiliations

Detection of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi using microscopic and molecular methods in horses in suburb of Urmia, Iran

Farnaz Malekifard et al. Vet Res Forum. 2014 Spring.

Abstract

Equine piroplasmosis is a severe disease of horses caused by the intra-erythrocyte protozoan, Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. The aim of this study was to identify equine piroplasmosis based on molecular and morphometrical features in horses in suburb of Urmia, West Azerbaijan province, Iran. From April to September 2011, a total number of 240 blood samples were collected randomly from horses of 25 villages. The specimens were transferred to the laboratory and the blood smears stained with Geimsa, and the morphological and biometrical data of parasite in any infected erythrocyte were considered. Extracted DNA from each blood sample was used in multiplex PCR in order to confirm the presence of B. caballi and T. equi. Microscopic observation on 240 blood smears determined that 15 (6.25%) and 5 (2.80%) samples were infected by T. equi and B. caballi, respectively. The mixed infections occurred in 2 (0.83%) samples. The results of the PCR assays showed 26 (10.83%), 14 (5.83%) and 4 (1.66%) were distinguished as T. equi, B. caballi and mixed infection, respectively. Differences in infection rates were statistically nonsignificant between male and female horses and among different age groups. Our findings indicated that T. equi and B. caballi were prevalent in horse population.

Keywords: Babesia caballi; Horse; Iran; Multiplex PCR; Theileria equi.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PCR detection of B. caballi and T. equi with a set of primer combinations (Bec-UF2, Cab-R, and Equi-R). M = 100 bp DNA marker; P1= Positive control for T. equi; P2 = Positive control for B. caballi; N= Negative control; Lane 1 = Mixed of T. equi and B. caballi; Lane 2 = T. equi; Lane 3 = B. caballi
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