Equine piroplasmose - Fallbericht einer akuten infektion mit Theileria equi (syn. Babesia equi) in Deutschland

Abstract

An acute case of piroplasmosis in a horse from Germany caused by infection with Theileria (syn. Babesia) equi is reported. Clinical symptoms of the acute case were fever (41°C), inappetence, edema of the head and colic symptoms as well as anaemia, haemolysis, bilirubinaemia and haemoglobinuria. In Giemsa-stained blood smears pear-shaped and typical Maltese-cross intraerythrocytic merozoites of Theileria (syn.Babesia) equi were seen. Piroplasmosis was serologically confirmed by complement fixation (CF) and infection with Theileria equi was diagnosed also by Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT). Finally the horse was successfully treated with Imidocarb (Imizol®). With 2 injections no side effects were observed. From 21 days after the second treatment no parasites were seen in the blood smears. The search for ticks on the patient, at the other horses of the same horsestable and on the vegetation resulted negative. The transmission of the infection by the use of contaminated needles or instruments could be excluded. The possibility of an autochthonous infection by ticks known as vectors within the genera Dermacentor, Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma, which could be involved as possible vectors in Germany, are discussed under global aspects of geography and climate.