Difference between revisions of "Babesiosis - Horse"
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| − | Clinical signs are generally dependent on the causative parasite. Infection with ''B. caballi'' tends to result in a milder form of disease that is often clincally inapparent whereas ''T. equi'' results in a more serious disease. The clincal presentation of the disease is variable and dependent on the immunological status of the affected animal. In rare cases, the presentation may be | + | Clinical signs are generally dependent on the causative parasite. Infection with ''B. caballi'' tends to result in a milder form of disease that is often clincally inapparent whereas ''T. equi'' results in a more serious disease. The clincal presentation of the disease is variable and dependent on the immunological status of the affected animal. In rare cases, the presentation may be peracute with animals found dead within 24-48 hours of the onset of clinical signs. More often cases occur acutely with clinical signs including depression, pyrexia, inappetance, icterus, haemoglobinuria, conjunctival petechial haemorrhages amd anaemia. |
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| + | ==Diagnosis== | ||
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| + | ==Treatment== | ||
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Revision as of 12:21, 31 August 2010
Also known as: Equine Piroplasmosis and Biliary fever
Description
Equine babesiosis is a tick-borne protozoal infection of donkeys, mules, horses and zebra characterised by acute haemolytic anaemia. The disease is caused by the intraerythrocytic protozoa Theileria equi (formerly Babesia equi) and Babesia caballi and is transmitted primarly by ixodid ticks. Equine babesiosis is endemic in most tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world where tick vectors are present. It is associated with high economic losses relating to treatment costs, loss of performance, abortion and death.
Aetiology and Pathogenesis
B. caballi and T. equi are transmitted by ticks, which become infected when they ingest parasites in the blood of infected horses. Approximately 15 species of ticks in the genera Dermacentor, Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus can be vectors for these organisms. T. equi can also be transmitted by Boophilus microplus. Infected adult ticks host several cycles of replication of Babesia spp and final maturation of the parasite occurs when the tick attaches to a new host. For this reason, the tick must remain attached to the host for a period of time before infection can occur; this may require up to a few days. Equine babesiosis may also be transmitted via contaminated surgical instruments, blood products or syringes. Currently, there is no evidence suggesting transmission by other insects.
Following recovery from infection, horses may become lifelong carriers of the disease and represent a potential reservoir of parasites.
Clinical signs
Clinical signs are generally dependent on the causative parasite. Infection with B. caballi tends to result in a milder form of disease that is often clincally inapparent whereas T. equi results in a more serious disease. The clincal presentation of the disease is variable and dependent on the immunological status of the affected animal. In rare cases, the presentation may be peracute with animals found dead within 24-48 hours of the onset of clinical signs. More often cases occur acutely with clinical signs including depression, pyrexia, inappetance, icterus, haemoglobinuria, conjunctival petechial haemorrhages amd anaemia.
Diagnosis
Treatment
References
- Sellon, D. C., Long, M. T. (2007) Equine Infectious Diseases Elsevier Health Sciences