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Peer-reviewedCC BYVeterinary sciences

Retrospective Serological Survey of Equine Influenza Virus and Piroplasm Parasites in Free-Ranging Wild Equids from Kenya and Tanzania.

  • Silvia Marchi1
  • Charles Issel2
  • Paul Kanyari3
  • Julius Keyyu4
  • Pompei Bolfa1
4 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, West Farm, St. Kitts, Basseterre KN0101, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
  2. 2Department of Veterinary Science, Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0099, USA.
  3. 3Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 29053, Kenya.
  4. 4Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, Arusha P.O. Box 661, Tanzania.
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Abstract

Wild equids may act as reservoirs for infectious pathogens affecting domestic equine populations, yet data on exposure to equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), equine influenza virus (EIV), and equine piroplasmosis agents in African wildlife remain scarce. Our objectives were to retrospectively determine serological evidence of exposure to EIAV, EIV, Theileria equi, and Babesia caballi among Grevy's zebras and rhinoceroses from Kenya and Tanzania. A total of 284 archived serum samples from 215 Grevy's zebras and 69 rhinoceroses were analyzed using commercial ELISAs. Positive EIAV screening tests were retested using a second confirmatory assay. No confirmed EIAV antibodies were detected in zebras or rhinoceroses. Antibodies against EIV were identified in 20/215 zebras (9.3%), all originating from Serengeti National Park. Theileria equi antibodies were detected in 194/206 zebras (94.2%), while Babesia caballi antibodies were detected in 8/206 zebras (3.9%). Rhinoceroses were negative for all pathogens tested. This study provides evidence of widespread exposure of Grevy's zebras to T. equi and limited exposure to EIV in East Africa while failing to identify serologic evidence of EIAV infection in zebras or rhinoceroses. These findings improve understanding of infectious disease ecology at the wildlife-livestock interface and support continued wildlife surveillance programs.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{marchi2026retrospective,
  title = {{Retrospective Serological Survey of Equine Influenza Virus and Piroplasm Parasites in Free-Ranging Wild Equids from Kenya and Tanzania.}},
  author = {Silvia Marchi and Charles Issel and Paul Kanyari and Julius Keyyu and Pompei Bolfa},
  journal = {Veterinary sciences},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.3390/vetsci13101034},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42944131},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Retrospective Serological Survey of Equine Influenza Virus and Piroplasm Parasites in Free-Ranging Wild Equids from Kenya and Tanzania.
AU  - Silvia Marchi
AU  - Charles Issel
AU  - Paul Kanyari
AU  - Julius Keyyu
AU  - Pompei Bolfa
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/30
JO  - Veterinary sciences
DO  - 10.3390/vetsci13101034
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42944131
AB  - Wild equids may act as reservoirs for infectious pathogens affecting domestic equine populations, yet data on exposure to equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), equine influenza virus (EIV), and equine piroplasmosis agents in African wildlife remain scarce. Our objectives were to retrospectively determine serological evidence of exposure to EIAV, EIV, Theileria equi, and Babesia caballi among Grevy's zebras and rhinoceroses from Kenya and Tanzania. A total of 284 archived serum samples from 215 Grevy's zebras and 69 rhinoceroses were analyzed using commercial ELISAs. Positive EIAV screening tests were retested using a second confirmatory assay. No confirmed EIAV antibodies were detected in zebras or rhinoceroses. Antibodies against EIV were identified in 20/215 zebras (9.3%), all originating from Serengeti National Park. Theileria equi antibodies were detected in 194/206 zebras (94.2%), while Babesia caballi antibodies were detected in 8/206 zebras (3.9%). Rhinoceroses were negative for all pathogens tested. This study provides evidence of widespread exposure of Grevy's zebras to T. equi and limited exposure to EIV in East Africa while failing to identify serologic evidence of EIAV infection in zebras or rhinoceroses. These findings improve understanding of infectious disease ecology at the wildlife-livestock interface and support continued wildlife surveillance programs.
SN  - 2306-7381
ER  -