Investigation of Ixodid ticks as vectors of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi (Protozoa: Apicomplexa) in central Italy

Journal of vector ecology: journal of the Society for Vector Ecology

article

Federico Romiti¹  Adele Magliano¹  Valeria Antognetti¹  Giuseppe Manna¹  Antonella Cersini¹  Maria Teresa Scicluna¹  Claudio De Liberato¹ 

[1] Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana “M. Aleandri”

关键词: Ticks;    Rhipicephalus;    Babesia caballi;    Theileria equi;    equine piroplasmosis;    Italy.;   

DOI  :  10.1111/jvec.12370

来源: Society for Vector Ecology

【 摘 要 】

Babesia caballi and Theileria equi are widely recognized as causative agents of equine pirolasmosis (EP), an acute, sub-acute, and chronic disease of equines, with relevant economic impact on horse trade worldwide. Although several studies on EP prevalence from central Italy have been published, data on ticks responsible for its transmission are still lacking. In this study, we identified a potential competent vector, investigating main features of its ecology together with EP infection rates. A two-year sampling of questing ticks was carried out for the first time in Italy in an area known for high EP prevalence in horse sera, detecting the association between Rhipicephalus bursa and causative agents of EP. Most of the positive pools harbored a single infection (91.1%); mixed infections were also detected (8.9%). The infection rate for T. equi slightly decreased among years; B. caballi showed a lower, but increasing, infection rate. Tick phenology, climate variables, and peaks of EP prevalence indicated late May and second half of June as periods with the highest risk of new infections, especially during warm and dry days.

【 授权许可】

Unknown