Epidemiological survey of vector-borne infections in equids from northern Tunisia

Leishmaniosis (Leishmania infantum infection) and piroplasmoses (Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections) are vector-borne diseases with significant economic and public health impacts. Despite their importance, there is a lack of data concerning these infections in equids from Tunisia. The present study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of L. infantum, T. equi and B. caballi in 104 equids from northern Tunisia. The authors reported for the first time on the seroprevalence of anti-Leishmania antibodies in equids in Tunisia (6.7%). The study reported a high infection prevalence of piroplasms (23.1%), revealed for the first time T. equi and B. caballi infections in Tunisian donkeys, and showed that these animals act as reservoirs for the maintenance and dissemination of piroplasms.