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DOI: 10.1055/a-2457-5516
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Die equine Piroplasmose: Fallberichte und epidemiologische Situation in Europa mit Fokus auf Deutschland

Equine piroplasmosis: Case descriptions and overview of the epidemiological situation in Europe with focus on Germany
Carla Wiebke Axt
1   Laboklin GmbH and Co. KG, Bad Kissingen
,
Andrea Springer
2   Institut für Parasitologie, Zentrum für Infektionsmedizin, Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover
,
Jennifer von Luckner
1   Laboklin GmbH and Co. KG, Bad Kissingen
,
Torsten J. Naucke
1   Laboklin GmbH and Co. KG, Bad Kissingen
,
Elisabeth Müller
1   Laboklin GmbH and Co. KG, Bad Kissingen
,
Christina Strube
2   Institut für Parasitologie, Zentrum für Infektionsmedizin, Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover
,
Ingo Schäfer
1   Laboklin GmbH and Co. KG, Bad Kissingen
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Zusammenfassung

Die equine Piroplasmose (EP) wird durch die Erreger Babesia (B.) caballi und Theileria (T.) equi ausgelöst und durch Schildzecken übertragen. Innerhalb Europas sind die Erreger vor allem in den Mittelmeerländern endemisch. Autochthone Infektionen können in Deutschland aufgrund einzelner Fallberichte über Infektionen ohne Auslandsaufenthalt und der geographischen Ausbreitung verschiedener Zeckenarten nicht mehr ausgeschlossen werden. Die beiden vorgestellten Fälle verdeutlichen das Risiko einer Infektion bei Auslandsreisen in endemische Regionen sowie beim Import von Pferden aus endemischen Regionen nach Deutschland. Die klinischen Symptome sind oft unspezifisch, vor allem treten Fieber, Ikterus, Lethargie, Inappetenz, Gewichtsverlust und Leistungsminderung auf. Hämatologisch sind Anämien typisch. Auch Thrombozytopenien sind beschrieben. Die Schweregrade der Zytopenien variieren von gering- bis hochgradig. Zur Diagnosestellung einer Infektion bzw. eines Erregerkontaktes sind direkte (Polymerase-Kettenreaktion, Mikroskopie von Blutausstrichen) und indirekte Nachweisverfahren (Antikörpernachweis) verfügbar. Imidocarb-Dipropionat gilt als Mittel der Wahl zur Therapie der EP. Bei Infektionen mit B. caballi scheint eine Erregerelimination möglich, wohingegen Infektionen mit T. equi trotz Therapie oft in einem lebenslangen Trägerstatus resultieren. Die Prävention beschränkt sich auf die Kontrolle bzw. Vermeidung von Zeckenkontakt. Neben möglichen schwerwiegenden klinischen Auswirkungen hat die EP auch weltweit signifikante wirtschaftliche Folgen auf den Pferdehandel. Nach den Richtlinien der WOAH wird sie als meldepflichtige Erkrankung eingestuft und die Empfehlung ausgesprochen, jedes Pferd bei grenzüberschreitenden Reisen nach den jeweiligen nationalen Bestimmungen serologisch auf die EP zu testen. In Deutschland ist die Erkrankung aktuell weder melde- noch anzeigepflichtig.

Abstract

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is caused by Babesia (B.) caballi and Theileria (T.) equi and is transmitted by hard ticks. Predominantly, the Mediterranean region is known as being endemic for both pathogens in Europe. However, autochthonous infections in central European countries such as Germany can no longer be ruled out due to individual case reports in horses without any stays abroad as well as the geographical expansion of the habitats of different tick species. The case reports presented underline the risk of infection for horses travelling to endemic areas and in horses imported from such areas to non-endemic countries. Clinical signs are often unspecific and include fever, icterus, lethargy, inappetence, weight loss, and reduced performance. Mild to severe anemia is the most common hematologic abnormality, but thrombocytopenia has also been described. Direct (polymerase chain reaction, microscopical analysis of blood smears) and indirect detection methods (detection of antibodies) are available for the diagnosis of pathogen contact and/or infection. Imidocarb-dipropionate is recommended as treatment of choice against EP. Infections with B. caballi can be cleared, while infections with T. equi often result in a life-long carrier status despite treatment. Prevention is limited to controlling or avoiding tick contact. Aside from potentially severe and life-threatening clinical signs, equine piroplasmosis has a significant economic impact on the international trade of horses worldwide. EP is classified as a notifiable disease according to WOAH guidelines, which recommend serological screening for B. caballi and T. equi according to the respective national guidelines when travelling across borders. To date, EP is not classified as a notifiable nor reportable disease in Germany.

Schlüsselwörter

Theileria equi - Babesia caballi - Klinik - Behandlung - Prävalenz

Keywords

Theileria equi - Babesia caballi - clinical signs - therapy - prevalence


Publication History

Article published online:
04 December 2024

© 2024. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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