RESUMEN
Theileria equi and Babesia caballi are protozoan agents causing equine piroplasmosis, endemic in countries all over the world. The aim of this study was to detect antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi in horses in the Czech Republic and to investigate the origin of the infection. Blood sera from 711 horses were examined with competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; positive samples were verified with indirect fluorescence immunoassay. Antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi were detected in eight (1.1%) and three (0.4%) horses, respectively. Infection with T. equi was confirmed by PCR and sequencing in the blood of five serologically positive horses. An autochthonous origin of T. equi infection could not be excluded in two (0.3%) horses. Intensive movement of horses across European countries and the expanding occurrence of competent tick vector Dermacentor reticulatus in the Czech Republic create an increasing risk of establishing active foci of equine piroplasmosis in the country.
Asunto(s)
Babesia , Babesiosis , Enfermedades de los Caballos , Theileria , Theileriosis , Animales , Babesia/genética , Babesiosis/epidemiología , Bovinos , República Checa/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Caballos/epidemiología , Caballos , Theileria/genética , Theileriosis/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
We report a case of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) in a 76-year-old woman, diagnosed rapidly based on the characteristic peripheral blood smear finding of intragranulocytic morulae. The smear was prepared on the day of hospitalization, which was 1-2 weeks before results of the serology test or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) became available. Owing to the blood smear test, we could start timely and appropriate antimicrobial treatment. The sensitivity of peripheral blood smear is lower compared to that of serology or PCR for the diagnosis of HGA but may increase with the examiner's experience. In our case, the diagnosis of HGA was confirmed based on PCR and serology 7 and 14 days after the positive peripheral blood smear test, respectively. Morulae in neutrophils are a diagnostic indicator of HGA, particularly for febrile patients with a history of tick bites or outdoor activities in rural areas.
Asunto(s)
Anaplasma phagocytophilum/aislamiento & purificación , Anaplasmosis/sangre , Anaplasmosis/diagnóstico , Pruebas Diagnósticas de Rutina/métodos , Anciano , Anaplasmosis/tratamiento farmacológico , Antibacterianos/uso terapéutico , Recuento de Células Sanguíneas/métodos , Femenino , Humanos , Microscopía/métodos , Neutrófilos , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/métodos , República de Corea , Pruebas Serológicas/métodos , Coloración y Etiquetado/métodos , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
We report a fatal case of human babesiosis caused by bovine pathogen Babesia divergens in Russia. Falciparum malaria was falsely diagnosed due to the presence of small ring forms in the blood smear. Laboratory diagnosis can distinguish between babesiosis and malaria according to the examination of stained blood smears.