Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease affecting equids worldwide. Diagnosis is based on direct methods (blood smear or PCR) or indirect methods (serology); however, these techniques yield positive and negative results. Thus, an alternative, reliable, rapid, and cost-effective complementary tool, such as hematologic parameters and newly described hematologic ratios, could help in the EP diagnosis. This study describes the changes induced by piroplasmosis infection on hematologic parameters and ratios in horses. B. caballi PCR-positive horses exhibited anemia and thrombocytopenia, whereas T. equi PCR-positive horses showed anemia and leukocytosis. T. equi-seropositive horses had lower neutrophil and lymphocyte percentages than seronegative horses. Hematologic ratios displayed significant differences between negative and infected horses (mostly those infected by B. caballi). Most of the variations observed in these ratios were those previously linked to the worst prognosis or outcome in horses and humans. This study also evaluates the ability to predict the EP status of these hematologic parameters and ratios, with platelet-related parameters showing a fair ability to predict a B. caballi PCR-positive result. While molecular methods remain the gold standard, complete hematology analysis and ratios could provide valuable complementary information to enhance the diagnostic accuracy of piroplasmosis in horses.

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is an endemic parasitic disease in southern European countries, such as Spain. Andalusia, the most southwestern region of Europe, is the community with the highest number of registered horses and farms in Spain and one of the main international exporters of Andalusian (Spanish Purebred) horses worldwide. Considering the current expansion of this disease and the possible effect of climate change on its prevalence, studying the EP prevalence in this region is compelling. Molecular (PCR) and serological methods (cELISA and IFAT) were used to study the true and apparent prevalences during a period of three consecutive years, evaluating the effects of age, sex, season, year of testing, and province. Results showed different EP prevalences between western and eastern provinces, as well as among seasons. Moreover, a positive association was observed between age and T. equi seropositivity, without any effect of sex. Our findings demonstrate that Andalusia is an EP endemic region, but prevalences were lower compared to central and northern Spanish regions. Moreover, EP prevalence has not increased in Andalusia in recent years despite climate changes.

Umbilical disorders are common in equids, although scarce information is available in donkeys compared to horses. Foals with these disturbances have high morbidity and mortality rates. The conventional omphalectomy technique does not remove the whole umbilical vein, which can lead to infection in the remnant vein or even liver abscess. At the moment, if the whole umbilical vein needs to be removed, a longer ventral midline incision must be performed, which is linked with several complications. This retrospective case series study focused on a modified two-step omphalectomy using the LigaSure^TM device in each step in five neonate foals (4 horses and 1 donkey) with umbilical disorders. Using this modified technique, the whole umbilical vein (from the stump to the liver) can be removed without the need of incision extension. Two foals in this series had complications not related with the surgery and had to be euthanized. In the surviving foals (three of five), no long-term complications have been reported. Therefore, this modified two-step technique using the LigaSure^TM device could be a suitable surgical option to decrease short- and long-term complications in neonate foals undergoing umbilical surgery. However, a multicentric prospective study on a larger number of animals is required.

Equine piroplasmosis (EP), caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, is a worldwide tick-borne disease with severe economic, commercial, and sanitary implications for equids. Although diagnosis is based on direct (blood smear or PCR) or indirect (serology) methods, these techniques are expensive, laborious, and false-negative and false-positive results can be yielded. Biochemistry blood profiles are routinely performed in horses. Biochemical parameters and ratios could be a reliable complementary diagnostic tool to assist clinicians in EP diagnosis, mainly in endemic areas, or for discarding similar disorders (piro-like diseases) and prioritizing specific diagnostic testing. This study describes the changes induced by EP infection in blood biochemical parameters and common and novel biochemical ratios in horses. EP-infected horses showed increased serum total and indirect bilirubin, triglycerides, and GLDH concentrations and decreased sodium concentrations compared to non-infected animals. These findings could be linked to hemolysis, diminution of athletic performance, and liver inflammation due to oxidative stress damage. While molecular methods remain the gold standard for EP diagnosis, a complete biochemical profile and ratios could provide valuable complementary information to enhance the diagnostic accuracy of piroplasmosis in horses.