Aim: To study the prevalence of
Theileria equi among horses in different age groups, both sexes, months and
seasons of the year, and regions of Giza governourate. Study the changes in the
blood picture, blood chemistries, liver enzymes associate with T.equi
infections in horses. Evaluation of IFA and CFT at different dilutions in the
serodiagnosis of T.equi infections in horses. Evaluation of four anti-Theileria
medication regimens (diminazine aceturate, imidiocarb 7%, buparvaquone and a
combination of imidiocarb 7% and buparvaquone) in treatment of T. equi
infections in horses.
Materials and Methods: Total of 149 horses were
examined by clinical signs and blood smears. Fortey whole blood samples from
T.equi infected horses were examined to measure haemoglobin, total RBCs
count and PCV. Fortey serum samples from T.equi infected horses were
examined to measure total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, ALT and AST enzymes.
Serum samples from T.equi infected (40) and non infected (14) horses were
tested by indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFA) and complement fixation test
(CFT) at different dilutions. Four groups of T.equi infected horses (A,B,C,D),
each group was represented by 10 horses and was separately treated with
diminazine aceturate, imidiocarb 7%, buparvaquone and a combination of
imidiocarb 7% and buparvaquone respectively.
Results: the prevalence of
T.equi was 41.61% in totally examined horses. The prevalence was higher
in males than females. The highest prevalence was among age group ranged from
5-10 years as (22.81%). The highest prevalence was in July and was recorded as
(25.81%) and the disease was more prevalent in summer than winter. The highest
prevalence was recorded in Nazlet-alsamman as (51.61%). Equine theileriosis was
clinically characterized by fever, haemoglobinuria, oedema, anaemia and icterus.
The best dilution for IFA was 1/160 where sensitivity, specificity and accuracy
were the highest for this test as (98%), (92.86%) and (97.44%) respectively. The
best dilution for CFT was 1/32 where sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were
collectively the best as (90%), (92.86%) and (90.74%) respectively.
Conclusion: It was concluded that T.equi is prevalent among horses in
Giza governourate, its prevalence is varied according to the age, sex of horses,
months, seasons and regions. T.equi infections in horses are accompanied with
changes in blood pictures, blood chemistries and liver enzymes. Both IFA and CFT
could be used for the serodiagnosis of T.equi. The used four anti-Theileria
medication regimens have the same ability to eradicate T.equi from the infected
horses.
Keywords: diagnosis, Egypt, epidemiology, Giza, Theileria equi,
therapy
