Molecular detection of theileria equi and babesia caballi infections in horses by pcr method in iran

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in horses in the Central and Southwest, Iran. Blood samples were collected from 53 and 37 horses settled in Isfahan and Shahrekord, respectively and a PCR method was used to detect the parasites in blood samples. The results showed that Theileria equi detected in 6 horses in Isfahan and in 4 horses in Shahrekord. Based on the findings, the prevalence of equine theileriosis was much higher than babesiosis and it occurred in both Isfahan and Shahrekord regions of the country. To the authors" knowledge, this is the first report of the molecular survey of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in horses in Iran. This survey could provide further information on different parasitic infections in horses and its epidemiology.

Keywords

• horses
• babesia
• pcr
• theileria equi
• iran