Equine piroplasmosis – the view of a practitioner from an endemic region

[...]even though light microscopy can be used to identify the organisms within the erythrocytes during the acute stage of infection, its low sensitivity precludes its use in cases of chronic or subclinical infection. [...]serological or PCR testing should be conducted to confirm chronic and/or atypical cases, especially if a relapse from chronic carrier status is suspected. While it is important to completely clear horses of the parasite in disease-free areas to limit transmission, in endemic areas it is common practice to question the benefit/risk ratio before starting treatment. [...]complete elimination of the parasite from a horse in an endemic area would be detrimental to the immune protection assumed to develop during parasite persistence. [...]there is a widespread lack of awareness regarding EP risk among equine practitioners in non-endemic countries. [...]actualised recommendations for the prevention and treatment of the disease should be formulated to provide workable solutions for stakeholders.References 1 Knowles D. Equine babesiosis (piroplasmosis): a problem in the international movement of horses.