Abstract

Equine piroplasmosis is an infectious and non-contagious disease caused by the hemoprotozoa Babesia caballi and Theileria equi. This disease causes serious economic damage to equine industry in the world. In Brazil, equine piroplasmosis is transmitted mainly by Dermacentor nitens and Amblyomma sculptum ticks. The disease has gained great national notoriety, mainly because Brazil has the largest horse herd in Latin America and the third largest in the world. Infected animals may present fever, anemia, jaundice, subcutaneous edema, especially in the eyelids; splenomegaly, hepatomegaly and hemoglobinuria. The diagnosis of equine piroplasmosis is made by clinical signs and blood smears, in which erythrocytes parasitized by the agents can be observed. Serological tests, such as cELISA and complement fixation may be used and are recommended by OIE. PCR may be used to confirm the infection.

Keywords: hemoprotozoa; Babesia caballi; Theileria equi; ticks