Occurrence of congenital Theileria equi in Lusitano foals through RT-PCR detection

Para determinação da ocorrência de transmissão transplacentária da Theileria equi em neonatos eqüinos foram avaliados 50 potros da raça Puro Sangue Lusitano, machos e fêmeas, bem como suas respectivas mães, logo após o parto. Foram colhidas amostras de sangue total, tanto das mães como dos neonatos, entre as primeiras cinco horas pós parto para pesquisa de Theileria equi e Babesia caballi através da técnica de RT-PCR. Utilizou-se o kit de detecção baseado no fluofóro intercalante de DNA SYBERgreen. Um total de 46% das éguas apresentaram resultado positivo para Theileira equi e 54% se mostraram negativas, enquanto que 66% dos potros apresentaram resultados positivos e 34% negativos, sendo que 73,9% dos potros positivos nasceram de mães também positivas. Já para Babesia caballi, 16% das éguas foram positivas e 84% negativas, assim como 2% dos potros foram positivos e 98% negativos. O teste de RT-PCR é bastante sensível e específico, mas pode resultar em falso negativo, apesar de ser eficaz na detecção da Theileria equi e Babesia caballi nos eqüinos. Estes dados permitem concluir que existe a possibilidade de transmissão transplacentária de Theileria equi.The occurrence of transplacentary transmission of Theileria equi in horses was determined by evaluating 50 young male and female horses of the breed Lusitano Horses as well as their respective mothers. Colts and fillies were evaluated as soon as they were born. Total blood samples were collected from both mother and offspring within the first five hours right after the parturition to analyse Theileria equi and Babesia caballi through the RT-PCR technique. It was used the kit of detection based on DNA SYBERgreen. This study showed us that 46% of the female horses had positive results for Theileira equi and 54% negative results while 66% of the male horses had positive results and 34% of them, negative ones. Moreover, 73.9% of the positive young horses also had their mothers positive. However, for Babesia caballi 16% of the female horses had positive results and 84% negative ones while 2% of the male horses had positive results and 98%, negative ones. The RT-PCR test is very sensitive and specific but it can occur false-negative results although it is efficient in detecting Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in horses. In conclusion, the data show us that there is a possibility of transplacentary transmission of Theileria equi

Development of osteochondrosis in Lusitano foals: A radiographic study

This study aimed to detect, by radiographic examination, the evolution of osteochondral lesions in the tarsocrural and femoropatellar joints of Lusitano foals. Within 1 month of age, 76.08% of foals had radiographic signs of osreochondrosis, but only 16.20% had lesions at 18 months. The radiographic signs resolved by 5 mo of age in most foals, but some cases that involved either joint, were not resolved until 12 mo of age. It is thought that the "age of no return" is 5 mo for the tarsocrural and 8 mo for the femoropatellar joint but this study demonstrated regression of osteochondral lesions in both joints of Lusitano foals up to 12 months of age.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (Fapesp)Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP