title: A field survey for the seroprevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in donkeys from Nuu Division, Kenya.
abstract: Equine piroplasmosis is one of the most significant tick-borne disease of equids. The prevalence of this disease in donkeys of semi-arid Kenya remains largely unexplored. The primary objective of this study was to demonstrate the extent to which donkeys in Nuu division, Kenya have been exposed to the haemoprotozoans Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, the causative agents of equine piroplasmosis. The study also assessed the effect of age and sex on seroprevalence. A stratified sampling approach was used and three hundred and fourteen donkeys were sampled across nine sub-locations in Nuu division, Mwingi district. Serodiagnosis was via competitive inhibition enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (cELISA). The seroprevalence of T. equi was 81.2% (95% CI: 76.4-85.4). There was no significant difference in sub-location seropositivity, gender seropositivity or age related seropositivity. Antibodies against B. caballi were not detected (95% CI: 0-1.2). Findings from this study suggest that T. equi infection is endemic in Nuu division, Mwingi where it exists in a state of endemic stability. Existence of the infection should be communicated to animal health practitioners and donkey owning communities in the area.
authors.affiliation: The Donkey Sanctuary Kenya, P.O. Box 24203-00502, Nairobi, Kenya; The University of Edinburgh, Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine Chancellor's Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, United Kingdom. Electronic address: dr.obiero@gmail.com.
authors.forename: David O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Oduori
authors.affiliation: The Donkey Sanctuary Kenya, P.O. Box 24203-00502, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Solomon C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Onyango
authors.affiliation: Analabs Limited, P.O. Box 162-00625, Kangemi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Joseph N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Kimari
authors.affiliation: The University of Edinburgh, Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine Chancellor's Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ewan T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: MacLeod
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018397:Equidae; D005260:Female; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012621:Seasons; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D016794:Theileria / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013801:Theileriasis / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
keywords: Donkey; Equine piroplasmosis; Health; Kenya; Serology; Tick