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* Describe the lesions e
Wh icteru
s

* Give MD Pathology the

* spleen is enlarged * Blood in the thorax

* Pale mucous membranes
LD haemothorax
* Anaemia
to splenomegaly
* Muscles are
yellow
↳ Icterus

Bone marrow
hyperplasia
↳ indicates regenerative anaemia

Red
kidneys -

especially medulla

4hr translates to presence of

haemoglobin uria
4h BABES 1A !

Haemoglobin uria
 Differential Diagnoses
ADULT FOAL

- Theileria equi - Theileria equi

- Babesia caballi - Babesia caballi
- EEV → equine encephalosis virus - Haemolytic bacterial septicaemia
- Gamma herpes virus 5 (anaemia) - ISA
- Renal dysplasia / failure (anaemia) - EHV
- Other
important to take the foal’s
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Reasons for pathological findings

ICTERUS

In a horse that is fasting ….

— result of the horse fasting which leads to hyperbilirubinaemia
— horses do not have gallbladders
— due to a decrease in hepatic uptake of bilirubin

So one should be careful to immediately think you are dealing with

babesiosis/theileriosis when you see an icteric horse, the horse may
just be anorexic for a variety of other reasons.

SPLENOMEGALY

— due to red pulp hyperplasia

 Theileria vs Babesia
POST MORTEM

• Similar on post mortem

• Babesia — haemoglobinuria (intravascular + extravascular haemolysis)
• Theileria — no haemoglobinuria (extravascular haemolysis)

BLOOD SMEAR

Theileria merozoites
— occur in two’s or four’s
— form a Maltese cross
— smaller than babesia parasites

Babesia merozoites
— pear shaped
— vary in size
— often in pairs
— larger than theileria parasites

Theileria Babesia

intra-lymphocytic stage ( blood )

observed on

smear intra-erythrocytic

• R. evertsi eversti • Dermacentor nitens

• Boophilus microplus • R. sanguineus
Theileria is a DD for abortions in

In utero infections foals

Rarely in utero infections
 Epidemiology
• Vector dependent - depends on tick prevalence
• Carriers - limit of 4 years in Babesia + lifelong in Theileria
• Summer - adult ticks more prevalent

Diagnostic tests
1. Macropathology – Based on macroscopic examination + a macroscopic diagnosis

2. Histopathology – 1x1x1cm (or smaller) tissue samples placed in 10% buffered formalin, 1
part tissue to 10 parts formalin, for processing and eventual examination under the microscope

3. Immunohistochemistry – Performed on formalised tissue / wax blocks. Detects antigens

within tissues as a result of an antibody binding to it. The antibody is accompanied by colour
reaction which enables us to see it on a tissue section.

4. Bacterial culture – Samples (of a appreciable size) are collected aseptically and placed in
sterile containers. Samples for anaerobic culture need to completely fill the containers you are
planning on using.

5. PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) – DNA (sometimes RNA) from a sample is amplified in
order to compare the amplified DNA with a known primer or segment of DNA. Samples should
be collected aseptically and be <0.5x0.5x0.5 cm in size and placed in sterile containers.

6. Real time PCR is a quantitative application of conventional PCR.

7. Toxicology – sent to the OVI and depends on the toxin to be tested.

8. Fluorescent antibody test – coloured antibody reaction in response to an antigen.

Diagnosis
• History + macropathology = suggestive Limitation
animals that are carriers and not
necessarily sick will reveal a positive

• Positive blood smear in conjunction with the macro lesions PCR result.

NB to take all factors + lesions into

consideration.

• Splenic impression smear (if blood smear inconclusive) If the PCR result is positive but the
animal does not have any evidence of
clinical disease — animal is a carrier

• Spleen for PCR — < 1 x 1 x 1 cm + fresh + aseptic

• Sent to Equine Research Center (ERC)