Review
Infectious Diseases
Clemence Nadal, Sarah I. Bonnet, Maud Marsot
Summary: This study provides insights into the eco-epidemiology of equine piroplasmosis in Europe, identifying potential vectors, prevalence data, and discussing management practices and environmental risk factors. Further investigation is needed to fully understand the disease dynamics and associated risk factors.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Heather Graham, Paul van Kalsbeek, Jeanet van der Goot, Miriam G. J. Koene
Summary: This study provides an update on the current status of equine piroplasmosis (EP) in horses in the Netherlands. The seroprevalence of EP in Dutch horses is very low, while horses from abroad have a higher seroprevalence. Monitoring of EP is necessary due to the presence of tick vectors and the import of horses from endemic areas.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Clemence Nadal, Maud Marsot, Gael Le Metayer, Pascal Boireau, Jacques Guillot, Sarah I. Bonnet
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the spatio-temporal variations of equine piroplasmosis in France and provide baseline information regarding the sero-epidemiology of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi infection in horses. The results showed that horses from southern regions of France were the most affected by B. caballi and T. equi infection, while the proportion of horses having antibodies against T. equi increased over time.
Article
Microbiology
Guangpu Yang, Kewei Chen, Wei Guo, Zhe Hu, Ting Qi, Diqiu Liu, Yaoxin Wang, Cheng Du, Xiaojun Wang
Summary: Equine piroplasmosis is a serious problem in the horse industry and controlling its spread is crucial for international horse trading. In this study, a portable test card was developed to detect the parasites causing equine piroplasmosis in the field. The test is simple, fast, and can detect two pathogens at once. The results suggest that this method is important for controlling the spread of the disease.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Gloria Rocafort-Ferrer, Agnes Leblond, Aurelien Joulie, Magalie Rene-Martellet, Alain Sandoz, Valerie Poux, Sophie Pradier, Severine Barry, Laurence Vial, Loic Legrand
Summary: Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease caused by Babesia caballi and Theileria equi. This study examined the prevalence and spatial distribution of EP in the Camargue and the Plain of La Crau in France. The results showed high prevalence of T. equi in horses and ticks, with Hyalomma marginatum being the main carrier of the disease.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Kunying Lv, Yiwei Zhang, Yixin Yang, Zheng Liu, Liang Deng
Summary: Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne blood protozoan disease caused by Theileria equi (T. equi), Babesia caballi (B. caballi) and Theileria haneyi. This study compared nested PCR (nPCR) and duplex real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR) for the detection of T. equi and B. caballi. The results showed that nPCR had good sensitivity and specificity for detecting both parasites, while qPCR had low sensitivity but could readily distinguish between T. equi and B. caballi infections.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Guangpu Yang, Bingqian Zhou, Kewei Chen, Zhe Hu, Wei Guo, Xiaojun Wang, Cheng Du
Summary: Novel competitive ELISA and western blot assays were developed to detect antibodies against T. equi or B. caballi. These methods have high sensitivity, no cross-reactivity with other equine diseases, and showed high coincidence rates compared to commercially available kits.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Robert M. Coultous, David G. M. Sutton, Lisa A. Boden
Summary: This study conducted a qualitative risk assessment of the risk of Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) entry, exposure, and consequences to the UK equine population. The results showed that the risk of EP entry via infected equidae with acute disease is very low but medium with subclinical carrier animals. Entry through ticks or importation of blood is very low. The risk of EP exposure to susceptible equidae in the UK is low through tick bites, contaminated needles, and blood, but very high through transplacental transfer. However, the consequences of EP endemic establishment are of high significance to the UK equine industry.
EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Luca Villa, Alessia Libera Gazzonis, Carolina Allievi, Claudia De Maria, Maria Flaminia Persichetti, Giulia Caracappa, Sergio Aurelio Zanzani, Maria Teresa Manfredi
Summary: This study investigated the seroprevalence of three tick-borne pathogens in Italian horses and highlighted the importance of tick control. The study found that tick-borne diseases in horses are an emergent problem worldwide, with climate and ecological changes as well as horse movements between countries playing important roles in their spread.
Article
Parasitology
Jing Wu, Yanyan Cui, Fuchang Yu, Gemingguli Muhatai, Dayong Tao, Aiyun Zhao, Changshen Ning, Meng Qi
Summary: This study found a high prevalence and genetic diversity of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in grazing horses in Xinjiang. The infection rates were 38.9% and 30.2%, respectively, and the co-infection rate was 19.4%. Multiple genotypes were identified based on gene sequencing. These results indicate the widespread distribution and abundant gene polymorphism of T. equi and B. caballi in grazing horses from Xinjiang.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
A. Joachim, J-M Cavalleri, S. Berger
Summary: Equine granulocytic anaplasmosis and equine piroplasmosis are tick-borne diseases caused by intracellular pathogens. They have similar clinical symptoms and laboratory changes. Prophylaxis measures are similar due to the transmission route, but treatment principles differ. Tick-borne pathogens may have a significant role in equine medicine.
SCHWEIZER ARCHIV FUR TIERHEILKUNDE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Believe Ahedor, Hemal Kothalawala, Ratnam Kanagaratnam, Singarayar Caniciyas Vimalakumar, Davaajav Otgonsuren, Bumduuren Tuvshintulga, Enkhbaatar Batmagnai, Seekkuge Susil Priyantha Silva, Thillaiampalam Sivakumar, Naoaki Yokoyama
Summary: This study reports for the first time the presence of T. equi and genotype C in donkeys in Sri Lanka. Additionally, it highlights the importance of monitoring the donkey population in Sri Lanka due to the equine piroplasmosis caused by T. equi.
INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Roberto Nardini, Antonella Cersini, Leticia Elisa Bartolome Del Pino, Giuseppe Manna, Manuela Scarpulla, Alessandra Di Egidio, Roberta Giordani, Valeria Antognetti, Vincenzo Veneziano, Maria Teresa Scicluna
Summary: This study evaluated and compared different diagnostic methods for equine piroplasmosis. The results showed that commercial ELISA had lower detection capacity for B. caballi samples compared to biomolecular methods and IFAT. Commercial PCRs also performed poorly in asymptomatic animals, with a PCR from literature and IFAT being the best choice for combined diagnosis. For T. equi, IFAT detected more suspect samples than ELISA, but simultaneous use of both methods still had advantages. Therefore, in laboratory diagnosis, ELISA should be used in combination with PCR.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Bassma S. M. Elsawy, Ahmed M. Nassar, Heba F. Alzan, Raksha Bhoora, Sezayi Ozubek, Mona S. Mahmoud, Omnia M. Kandil, Olfat A. Mahdy
Summary: Equine Piroplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by multiple hemoprotozoan parasites, with T. equi and B. caballi detected in Egyptian equids and the presence of T. haneyi reported for the first time. Coinfections were found in both horses and donkeys, with some samples showing infection with all three EP species.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
S. Tirosh-Levy, A. Steinman, Eliran E. Abu, A. Shnaiderman-Torban, R. Zveibil, N. Edery, L. Moss, M. L. Mazuz
Summary: Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a widely spread tick-borne disease in horses caused by hemoparasites Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. This case report highlights a peracute and fatal case of EP in a yearling filly, with high parasitemia of both parasites and multi-organ damage. The presence of co-infection within erythrocytes raises questions about pathogenesis and potential therapeutic implications.
ISRAEL JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Idoko Sunday Idoko, Gili Schvartz, Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Oran Erster, Jibril Yakubu Jibril, Andrew Musa Adamu, Simon Ikechukwu Enem, Jude Nduka Omeje, Wesley Daniel Nafarnda, Amir Steinman
Summary: The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of anti-West Nile virus neutralizing antibodies in donkeys from two areas in northern Nigeria. Results showed a high seropositivity rate of 27.8%, with donkeys from Zaria being more likely to have been exposed to WNV. This suggests the need for implementation of measures to reduce the risk for both humans and equids in these areas.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Gili Schvartz, Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Samantha Barnum, Dan David, Asaf Sol, Nicola Pusterla, Amir Steinman
Summary: Equine coronavirus (ECoV) is an emerging cause of enteric disease in adult horses, with outbreaks reported in the USA, EU, and Japan, as well as sporadic cases in the UK and Saudi Arabia. Infection of ECoV in horses in Israel has never been reported, and the risk of exposure is unknown. The study found that exposure to ECoV in horses in Israel was significantly associated with geographical area.
Article
Immunology
Monica L. Mazuz, Benjamin Leibovitz, Igor Savitsky, Elena Blinder, Daniel Yasur-Landau, Yaniv Lavon, Binyamin Sharir, Sharon Tirosh-Levy
Summary: Vaccination with frozen live Neospora caninum tachyzoites was found to reduce abortion rates in naturally infected seropositive pregnant dairy dams, particularly in cows with high antibody titers. The vaccine efficacy varied among different farms, but overall, the frozen live vaccination may be an effective method to control neosporosis in cattle.
Article
Microbiology
Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Monica L. Mazuz, Igor Savitsky, Dana Pinkas, Yuval Gottlieb, Amir Steinman
Summary: The study demonstrates a high level of exposure to Babesia caballi and identifies important risk factors for infection. The difference between serological and molecular prevalence, probably related to parasite clearance, is highlighted. Geographical area and horses' sex remained significant factors in the multivariable analysis.
Article
Microbiology
Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Miri Baum, Gili Schvartz, Boaz Kalir, Oren Pe'er, Anat Shnaiderman-Torban, Michael Bernstein, Shlomo E. Blum, Amir Steinman
Summary: Leptospirosis has been reported in humans and animals in Israel, but not in horses. A recent outbreak of Leptospira serogroup Pomona was identified in humans and cattle in Israel, and for the first time, Pomona was found to be the probable cause of equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) in horses in Israel. The epidemiological investigation revealed that horses may be clinically affected during an outbreak in other species, posing a significant zoonotic risk to people.
Article
Microbiology
Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Asael Roth, Binyamin Leibovich, Ludmila Fleiderovitz, Ohad Frid, Daniel Yasur-Landau, Ricardo Wolkomirskyi, Monica L. Mazuz
Summary: Babesia bovis is a widely-spread hemoparasite of cattle transmitted by ticks, particularly Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus in the Middle East and Africa. This study demonstrates a protocol using diminazene aceturate to establish a Babesia-free tick colony in the laboratory, which could potentially help reduce parasite circulation in the field. However, resistance to the drug may develop and caution is advised against its routine use.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Amir Steinman
Summary: Equine encephalosis (EE) is a febrile disease of horses caused by EE virus (EEV) and transmitted by Culicoides midges. The virus was first isolated from a horse in South Africa in 1967 and has since spread to other regions. Although EEV does not cause severe clinical disease, its spread may indicate the potential spread of more pathogenic viruses. This review provides an overview of the structure, pathogenesis, clinical significance, and epidemiology of EEV.
Article
Microbiology
Gili Schvartz, Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Shahar Bider, Avishai Lublin, Yigal Farnoushi, Oran Erster, Amir Steinman
Summary: This study evaluated the contribution of different wild bird species to the circulation of West Nile virus (WNV) in Israel. Through testing 136 carcasses of wild birds, it was found that 11.03% of the tissue pools were positive for WNV. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these positive samples were closely related to the isolates from the previously reported outbreak in birds in Israel, and most infected birds were of local species.
Review
Parasitology
Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Igor Savitsky, Elena Blinder, Monica L. Mazuz
Summary: Abortions in sheep flocks can have negative impacts on animal health and productivity, resulting in significant economic losses. This study focuses on the diagnosis of parasitic pathogens as the cause of ovine abortions in Israel. The serological data analysis showed high seroprevalence rates for Neospora spp. and Toxoplasma gondii, with a higher prevalence in aborting ewes for T. gondii. Additionally, the presence of anti-Neospora spp. antibodies in aborted fetuses was the most prominent finding. These results highlight the importance of Neospora spp. as a cause of abortions in sheep.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Amir Steinman, Oran Erster, Sharon Tirosh-Levy
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Adar Cohen, Liat Poupko, Hillary A. Craddock, Yair Motro, Boris Khalfin, Amit Zelinger, Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Shlomo E. Blum, Amir Steinman, Jacob Moran-Gilad
Summary: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) are a growing public health threat, and one key human exposure point is through livestock and the food supply. This study observed that heifers from farms feeding calves with pooled colostrum had higher rates of ESBL carriage, and several genera of bacteria also differed between ESBL carriers and noncarriers.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Lea Mimoun, Amir Steinman, Ynon Kliachko, Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Gili Schvartz, Elena Blinder, Gad Baneth, Monica Leszkowicz Mazuz
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of Neospora infection in horses and associated risk factors. The findings revealed high exposure of horses, especially pregnant mares, to Neospora parasites. Proper management and active surveillance can help reduce the spread of the parasite among horses in endemic areas.
Article
Immunology
Monica Leszkowicz Mazuz, Adi Weiss, Oren Beer, Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Irena Riklis, Zeev Dveyrin, Efrat Rorman, Naama Zaaroor Cohen, Michal Perry Markovich, Gad Baneth
Summary: This study evaluated the prevalence and seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in livestock in Israel. The results showed a high infection rate and seropositivity in livestock. Additionally, the molecular screening revealed the presence of T. gondii DNA in meat intended for human consumption. These findings indicate a widespread exposure to T. gondii in Israel with the presence of parasite DNA in meat from cattle, sheep, and pigs.
COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Noa Berman, Sharon Tirosh-Levy, Amir Steinman, Avital Minderigiu, Elena Blinder, Monica Leszkowicz Mazuz
Summary: This study conducted the first serosurvey of Besnoitia infection in equines in Israel, and the results are consistent with reports from Europe. Significant associations were found between geographic location and seropositivity in horses and donkeys.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
S. Tirosh-Levy, A. Steinman, Eliran E. Abu, A. Shnaiderman-Torban, R. Zveibil, N. Edery, L. Moss, M. L. Mazuz
Summary: Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a widely spread tick-borne disease in horses caused by hemoparasites Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. This case report highlights a peracute and fatal case of EP in a yearling filly, with high parasitemia of both parasites and multi-organ damage. The presence of co-infection within erythrocytes raises questions about pathogenesis and potential therapeutic implications.
ISRAEL JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
(2021)