Molecular prevalence and genotypic diversity of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infecting horses in Kyrgyzstan

Equine piroplasmosis is caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, which are hemoprotozoan parasites. Understanding the epidemiology and genotypes of T. equi and B. caballi is crucial for developing effective control strategies in endemic countries. However, the endemic status of these two parasite species remains uncertain in Kyrgyzstan due to lack of surveys. Our study, therefore, aimed to detect T. equi and B. caballi infections in Kyrgyzstan and identify their genotypes. Blood samples were collected from 226 horses across all seven provinces of Kyrgyzstan, namely Chuy, Issyk-Kul, Naryn, Talas, Jalal-Abad, Osh, and Batken. These blood samples were subjected to DNA extraction, followed by specific PCR assays targeting T. equi and B. caballi. We found that 56 (24.8%, confidence interval (CI): 19.6–30.8%) and 7 (3.1%, CI: 1.5–6.3%) of the tested horses were positive for T. equi and B. caballi infections, respectively. Theileria equi was detected in all surveyed provinces, whereas B. caballi was found in five provinces, except for Talas and Osh. Subsequent genotype-specific PCR assays showed that T. equi-positive horses harbored all five genotypes: A, B, C (also known as Theileria haneyi), D, and E. On the other hand, phylogenetic analysis of B. caballi rap-1 sequences detected the genotypes A and B1. The prevalence of T. equi and B. caballi suggests a potential risk of clinical equine piroplasmosis among horses in Kyrgyzstan, and the observed genotypic diversity underscores the challenges in managing the disease. Our findings emphasize the need for comprehensive control measures to effectively address equine piroplasmosis in Kyrgyzstan.