The objectives of the present study were to determine the infection rate of equine piroplasmosis (EP) in horses and ponies in Kelantan,Malaysia and compare the microscopic examination with competitive enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) test as methods for diagnosis of EP. 306 blood samples were randomly collected from equids including 148 horses and 158 ponies in various districts of Kelantan, from September 2013 to March 2014. Based on microscopic examination of the staining blood smears, the infection rates ofTheileria equi, Babesia caballi and of both infections in horses were 19.59%, 25% and 8.78% respectively, whereas in ponies theinfection rates were 14.55%, 19.62%, and 5.69% respectively. Based on cELISA test, the infection rates of T. equi, B. caballi and of both infections in horses were 50.67%, 62.16% and 33.10% respectively,whereas in ponies, the infection rates were 51.89%, 63.92% and 35.44% respectively. No significant difference were observed between equids species associated with a seroprevalence of T. equi, B. caballi andof both infections (P≤ 0.05). According to the Kappa value there was no compatibility between microscopic examination and cELISA on the diagnosis of T. equi, B. caballi and of both infections which were 0.235, 0.013 and 0.080 respectively. In conclusion, the current results for this research work indicate that equine piroplasmosis is widespread in Kelantan, Malaysia and cELISA test is more efficientthan microscopic examination for diagnosis of EP.

The prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infections in the north-eastern Free State Province of South Africa was determined by examination of thin and thick Giemsa-stained blood smears, IFAT and PCR. No parasites were detected by microscopy from any blood samples collected at five study sites, Qwaqwa, Kestell, Harrismith, Vrede and Warden. Of the tested serum samples, 28/29 (96.5 %), 20/21 (95.2 %) and 42/42 (100 %) were positive by IFAT for T. equi infections in Harrismith, Kestell and Qwaqwa, respectively, and 5/29 (17.2 %>), 13/21 (61.9 %>) and 30/42 (71.4 %>) were sero-positive for B. caballi infections in Harrismith, Kestell and Qwaqwa, respectively. All DNA samples from the study sites were negative for B. caballi infections by PCR, but five samples, two from each of Kestell and Warden and one from Vrede, were PCR positive for T. equi infections. The high prevalence of antibodies against T. equi and B. caballi in the sampled horses indicates that the animals had been exposed to T. equi and B. caballi infections but the absence of parasitaemia and very low number of positive PCR samples, however, imply that T. equi and B. caballi are endemically stable in the north-eastern Free State Province.

The donkey population has remained unchanged in the last two decades despite a decrease in the overall population of equids, emphasizing the usefulness of the donkey as a draught and pack animal. Piroplasmosis in donkeys, caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, has been recognized as a serious problem of major economic importance as the affected animals manifest decreased working capacity, loss of appetite, etc. In tropical countries, T. equi infections are more wide-spread and pathogenic than those caused by B. caballi. Donkeys usually remain asymptomatic carriers with positive antibody titres throughout life. Transmission of infection occurs from animal to animal through ticks such as Hyalomma spp. Rhipicephalus spp. and Dermacentor spp. The clinical form of the disease is diagnosed by peripheral blood smear examination, but in carrier donkeys it is very difficult to demonstrate the parasite in stained blood smears as the parasitaemia is extremely low. For diagnosis of such low grade infection or carrier animals, serological tests and DNA-based molecular diagnostic techniques, which are discussed in the present review, have become mandatory. Currently, there is no suitable pharmacotherapy available to clear the T. equi infection from affected donkeys, though some new drugs and drug combinations used against this disease condition have been discussed. In the present situation, there is an urgent need for international cooperation and coordination for development of sensitive molecular diagnostic tools and effective pharmacotherapies for curtailment of the disease condition. Hence, it is imperative to develop and exchange reagents and technology developed through human resource sharing in the interest of sustainability of donkey husbandry.