Abstract:

The objective of this study was to investigate equine piroplasmosis in horses from Port Harcourt Polo Club, Nigeria. Forty-one polo horses comprising of different sexes and breeds and aged between 6 months and 10 years were screened for intra erythrocytic protozoan parasites: Theileria equi and Babesia caballi by light microscopy. Ticks (Rhipicephalus species) were seen on mane, tail and perineal region of the horses sampled. Haematological and biochemical evaluations were carried out using standard methods. Light microscopic analysis of Giemsa stained blood smear revealed equine piroplasmosis in 31 of the horses with prevalence of 75.6%. Of these horses, 19 (46.3%) were infected by T. equi, 10 (24.4%) infected by B. caballi and 2(4.9%) infected by both species. 23 (56.1%) males and 8 (19.5%) females were infected. Based on age, 25 (61%) of the infected horses were less than 5 years and 6 (14%) were greater than 5 years. The Argentinean, Sudanese and indigenous (Nigerian) breeds infected were 1 (2.4%), 8(19.5%) and 22 (53.6%) respectively. Haematological analysis revealed decreased packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and erythrocyte count compared with normal values. A significant (P < 0.05) eosinophilia was observed in infected horses when compared with non-infected horses. Total bilirubin and Alanine aminotransferase were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in infected horses. The study showed high level of equine piroplasmosis and some changes in haematological and biochemical parameters in naturally infected Polo horses with T. equi and B. caballi from Port Harcourt Polo Club, Nigeria.