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Age-dependent dynamics of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in southwest Mongolia based on IFAT and/or PCR prevalence data from domestic horses and ticks

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 February 2007

S. R. RÜEGG ,
P. TORGERSON ,
P. DEPLAZES  and
A. MATHIS
S. R. RÜEGG
Affiliation:
Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266A, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
P. TORGERSON
Affiliation:
Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266A, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
A. MATHIS*
Affiliation:
Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266A, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
*
*Corresponding author. Tel: +41 44 635 85 36. Fax: +41 44 635 89 07. E-mail: alexander.mathis@access.unizh.ch
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Summary

Epidemiological factors of tick-borne equine piroplasmoses, caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, were investigated using logistic regression (GLM) and general additive models (GAM) based on the prevalences determined in 510 domestic horses and in ticks in S.W. Mongolia by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and/or multiplex PCR. Prevalences of T. equi and B. caballi in horses were 66·5% (95% CI: 62·1–70·7) and 19·1% (15·6–22·9), respectively by PCR and 78·8% (74·9–82·3) and 65·7% (61·3–69·9) by IFAT. Of 166 ticks analysed from PCR- and IFAT-negative horses 1 was PCR positive for B. caballi and none for T. equi. GAM demonstrated non-linear increasing proportions of T. equi-PCR and -IFAT positive horses with age suggesting persistent infection. In contrast, the B. caballi-PCR prevalence decreased with age despite a concurrent increase in the proportion of IFAT-positive animals suggesting parasite elimination. The tick (Dermacentor nuttalli) burden of the horses increased with age and decreased with advancing season. Geldings were more likely to be infected with, and seroconvert to, T. equi. Neither herd affiliation, date of sample collection nor abundance of tick infestation had a significant influence on parasite prevalence.

Keywords

Theileria equiBabesia caballimultiplex PCRIFAThorsesticksepidemiologyMongoliageneral additive models
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 134 , Issue 7 , July 2007 , pp. 939 - 947
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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