Detection of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi in blood from equines from four indigenous communities in Costa Rica

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was carried out in four indigenous communities of Costa Rica to detect presence and prevalence of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi and to investigate factors associated with presence of these hemoparasites. General condition of horses (n=285) was evaluated, and hematocrits and hemoglobin were determined from blood samples of 130 horses, which were also analyzed using blood smears, nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). The general condition of the horses (n=285) in terms of their body and coat was between regular and poor, and hematocrit and hemoglobin average values were low (19% and 10.65 g/dL, resp.). Erythrocyte inclusions were observed in 32 (24.6%) of the samples. Twenty-six samples (20.0%) gave positive results for B. caballi and 60 (46.2%) for T. equi; 10 horses (7.7%) showed mixed infection, when analyzed by PCR. Using c-ELISA, it was found that 90 (69.2%) horses had antibodies against B. caballi and 115 (88.5%) against T. equi, while 81 (62.3%) showed mixed reactions. There were no factors associated with the presence of B. caballi and T. equi. These results contrast with results previously obtained in equines in the Central Valley of Costa RicaSe llevó a cabo un estudio transversal en cuatro comunidades indígenas de Costa Rica para detectar la presencia y la prevalencia de Babesia caballi y Theileria equiand para investigar los factores asociados con la presencia de estos hemoparásitos. Se evaluó la condición general de los caballos (n =285) y se determinaron los hematocritos y la hemoglobina a partir de muestras de sangre de 130 caballos, que también se analizaron mediante frotis de sangre, reacción en cadena de la polimerasa anidada (PCR) y ensayo inmunoabsorbente (c-ELISA). La condición general de los caballos (n =285) en términos de su cuerpo y pelaje estaba entre regular y pobre, y los promedios de hematocrito y hemoglobina eran bajos (19% y 10,65 g/dL, respectivamente). Se observaron inclusiones de eritrocitos en 32 (24,6%) de las muestras. Veintiséis muestras (20,0%) dieron resultados positivos para B. caballi y 60 (46,2%) para T. equi; 10 caballos (7,7%) mostraron una infección mixta, cuando se analizaron mediante PCR. Utilizando el c-ELISA, se encontró que 90 (69,2%) caballos tenían anticuerpos contra B. caballi y 115 (88,5%) contra T. equi, mientras que 81 (62,3%) mostraron reacciones mixtas. No hubo factores asociados con la presencia de B. caballi y T. equi. Estos resultados contrastan con los resultados obtenidos anteriormente en los equinos del Valle Central de Costa Rica