HEMATOLOGIC CHANGES IN HORSES INFECTED WITH THEILERIOSIS IN TIARET, WEST OF ALGERIA

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the alterations in hematological parameters in horses naturally infested with Theileria equi, in the Tiaret area (Algeria) and the sensitive parameters such as age group, sex and breed influencing these changes in the group of horses most susceptible to this disease. Forty-two horses naturally infested with T. equi and ten clinically healthy (controls) were examined in this study. Blood samples were collected from November 2016 to April 2017 directly from the jugular vein in tubes containing an EDTA anticoagulant. Blood smears were examined for T. equi by microscopical examination of Giemsa-stained slides. A hematology analyzer for veterinary application (Mythic 18 Vet - Orphee) was used to study several hematological parameters. 33.07% of samples were positive for Theileria equi, females are more affected than males and horses less than 4 years old have a higher prevalence (52.38%). Significant reductions (p< 0.001) in RBC, Hb and PCV and PLT were noted in the 42 horses in the patient sample compared to the control group showing the presence of anemia. A significant increase (p< 0.001) was mentioned in the MCV, MCHC and MCH demonstrating the hypochromic macrocytic type of anemia. Highly significant thrombocytopenia was also observed. The present study is the first to report hematological changes in Barb horses and Arab Thoroughbreds infected with T. equi in Tiaret. The results of this research highlight the need to control horses for clinical piroplasmosis caused by T. equi.