Published
2020-12-23

How to Cite

González Jiménez, I. M., Castro Castro, F. F., Angarita Alonso, F. J., & Rivera Calderón, L. G. (2020). Use of PCR for the identification of equine piroplasmosis in a farm of Jamundí (Colombia) . Revista De Investigación Agraria Y Ambiental, 12(1), 63-71. https://doi.org/10.22490/21456453.3543
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Use of PCR for the identification of equine piroplasmosis in a farm of Jamundí (Colombia)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22490/21456453.3543
Section
Área Pecuaria
Indrid Marcela González Jiménez Universidad Antonio Nariño
Fernando Favian Castro Castro Universidad Antonio Nariño
Fredy Javier Angarita Alonso Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia (UNAD)
Luis Gabriel Rivera Calderón Universidad Antonio Nariño

Contextualization: Equine piroplasmosis is a tick-borne disease, caused by protozoa Babesia caballi and Theileria equi. The animals affected have different clinical signs that include anemia, fever, icterus and depression. Infected equids with T. equi can carry the hemoparasite for life, while the infected animals with B. caballi can disseminate for a few years until finally get rid of the infection.

 

Knowledge gap: In Colombia there are few studies on the isolation and identification of hemoparasites in equines using molecular techniques such as PCR. Among these parasites are Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, causative agents of Piroplasmosis a disease notifiable by the World Organisation for Animal Health.

 

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify equine piroplasmosis using polymerase chain reaction in a farm located in Jamundí (Valle del Cauca).

 

Methodology: In a total of 20 animals, divided in two groups, (animals in stable and animals in grassland) was collected peripheral blood to perform smear stained with Wright. Also, other samples were sent to the laboratory for molecular diagnosis.

 

Results and conclusions: All samples with Wright were negative for hemoparasites, however, by PCR it was possible to identify piroplasmosis. Conventional PCR was a sensitive and reliable method to diagnose the disease in an asymptomatic individual. More studies should be carried out in this region on Babesia sp. to identify possible predisposing and causal factors, as well as to improve the measures for its prevention, control and treatment.