Babesia equi and Trypanosoma vivax infections in donkeys

Abstract

Six donkeys (Equus asinus) were purchased locally. To screen them before and during Trypanosoma vivax infection, thin and thick blood smears, temperature,  haematocrit  centrifuge  technique  (HCT), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell counts, and indirect immunoquiescent antibody test (IFAT) were done for Babesia equi. For the IFAT, an anti-horse conjugate was used. In spite of patent B. equi or T. vivax parasitaemia, the donkeys' temperatures remained below 38.5 °C ; PCV was depressed more in B. equi infection than in T. vivax infection. Four out of the 6 donkeys had B. equi antibodies while 2 of them had detectable parasitaemia. Treatment with either Berenil™ or Imlzol™ cleared the  detectable  B.  equi  parasitaemia, and IFAT was negative at 35-45 days post treatment.  However, relapses occurred within 60-70 days after the treatment. In 2 circumstances serological titres were below 1:4-0 (negative) while there was detectable parasitaemia.