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==Description==
==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.
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. Only the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, England and Ireland are not considered to be endemic areas. The disease is associated with high economic losses relating to treatment costs, loss of performance, abortion and death.
==Aetiology and Pathogenesis==
==Aetiology and Pathogenesis==
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
The clinical signs of babesiosis are variable and diagnosis may not be straightforward. Babesiosis should be considered in any horse that is pyrexic and icteric and has been imported from an endemic area. Direct identification of the parasites in blood using a Giemsa-stained blood smear is a commonly used method of diagnosis but is not suitable for identification of babesiosis in carrier horses. For these animals, serology using an indirect fluorescent antibody test or ELISA is recommended and are the basis of pre-import tests required by many countries.
==Pathology==
==Pathology==
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
Specific anti-Babesia antibiotics (imidocarb diproprionate) are used to treat the disease.
==References==
==References==
*Knottenbelt, D. D., Pascoe, R. R. (2003) '''Diseases and Disorders of the Horse''' ''Elsevier Health Sciences''
*Sellon, D. C., Long, M. T. (2007) '''Equine Infectious Diseases''' ''Elsevier Health Sciences''
*Sellon, D. C., Long, M. T. (2007) '''Equine Infectious Diseases''' ''Elsevier Health Sciences''