Molecular detection of Theileria equi 1 in horses from Veracruz, Mexico

Authors: ROMERO-SALAS, DORA - University Of Veracruz; SOLIS-CORTES, MARLENE - Universidad Nacianal Autonoma De Mexico; ZAZUETA-ISLAS, HECTOR - Universidad Nacianal Autonoma De Mexico; FLORES-VASQUEZ, FERNANDA - Universidad Nacianal Autonoma De Mexico; CRUZ-ROMERO, ANABEL - University Of Veracruz; AGUILAR-DOMINGUEZ, MARIEL - University Of Veracruz; SALGUERO-ROMERO, JOSE - University Of Veracruz; Perez De Leon, Adalberto - Beto; FERNANDEZ-FIGUEROA, EDITH - Universidad Nacianal Autonoma De Mexico; LAMMOGLIA-VILLAGOMEZ, MIGUEL - University Of Veracruz; BECKER, INGEBORG - Universidad Nacianal Autonoma De Mexico; SANCHEZ-MONTES, SOKANI - University Of Veracruz

Submitted to: Ticks and Tick Borne Diseases
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/17/2021
Publication Date: 1/27/2021
Citation: Romero-Salas, D., Solis-Cortes, M., Zazueta-Islas, H.M., Flores-Vasquez, F., Cruz-Romero, A., Aguilar-Dominguez, M., Salguero-Romero, J.L., Perez De Leon, A.A., Fernandez-Figueroa, E.A., Lammoglia-Villagomez, M.A., Becker, I., Sanchez-Montes, S. 2021. Molecular detection of Theileria equi 1 in horses from Veracruz, Mexico. Ticks and Tick Borne Diseases. 12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101671.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101671

Interpretive Summary: Piroplasmosis is a disease of equines caused by species of blood parasites in the genus Babesia and Theileria that are transmitted by some ticks. Equine piroplasmosis can result in abortions, decreased activity, and even death among horses. Because of the significant impact on equine health and associated economic loss, surveillance of Babesia and Theileria agents causing piroplasmosis is essential for disease control and prevention. Equine piroplasmosis is considered a foreign animal disease in the U.S. This study addressed knowledge gaps on the molecular epidemiology of equine piroplasmosis in certain parts of Mexico. A molecular test was conducted on 100 blood samples from horses in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. The prevalence of blood parasites causing equine piroplasmosis was 18%. Molecular characterization revealed that Theileria equi was the species in the 18 piroplasmosis positive samples. This is the first molecular record of a blood parasite causing piroplasmosis in equines of the state of Veracruz in Mexico.

Technical Abstract: Equine piroplasmosis is a tropical parasitic disease caused by several intraerythrocytic members of the genus Babesia and Theileria. These hemoparasites are transmitted by multiple tick species and equine piroplasmosis is considered an important exotic disease in several countries. Equine piroplasmosis causes significant economic losses due to abortions, decreased activity and even death of horses, making surveillance of these organisms essential. In the northern and eastern parts of Mexico, few molecular and serological reports on the presence and exposure of horse populations to these agents have been made. For this reason, the aim of the current work was to perform molecular detection of Babesia and Theileria in equines from the state of Veracruz, Mexico. A total of 100 whole blood samples were tested from equines of the State of Veracruz. Chelex-100 resin was used for DNA extraction and a 459 bp fragment of the 18S rRNA gene in members of the Babesia/Theileria genera was identified. Of the 100 samples analysed, 18 tested positive for Babesia/Theileria, resulting in a prevalence of 18%. Similarity analyses and phylogenetic reconstruction revealed that all samples were infected with Theileria equi. This work represents the first molecular record of Babesia/Theileria in equines from the state of Veracruz, Mexico, and demonstrates the endemicity of the agent in this region of the country.