Identification of piroplasms isolated from asymptomatic equine species from southern Spain

The aim of the study was to detect the presence of genetic material of equine piroplasmas and to determine the species isolates from apparently healthy equids, including horses, donkeys and mules, in southern Spain. Blood samples were collected from 135 animals to assess the presence of DNA from equine piroplasmas using PCR. Babesia (B.) caballi DNA was detected in blood samples of three horses and one donkey, while Theileria (T.) equi DNA was confirmed in blood of 19 horses, three mules and one donkey. All B. caballi isolates showed a 100% homology of the nucleotide sequence of the 18S RNA gene fragment with the Spanish isolate AY534883. T. equi isolates had a 99.8% homology with the Spanish isolate T. equi AY 534882 and a 98.2% homology with the sequence of the Spanish isolate T. equi DQ287951. The differences in the nucleotide sequence of 18S RNA gene between T. equi isolates in the present study and the above mentioned Spanish isolates suggest the circulation of different genotypes in this country. The presence of genetic material of these parasites in 20% of the examined animals indicates a widespread exposure to equine piroplasmosis in southern Spain, therefore, a monitoring program in this country is needed.