What does this research mean for the field?

Theileria equi is prevalent in approximately 23% of apparently healthy donkeys in Croatia, exhibiting significant geographical and herd-size variation and multiple genetic lineages, whereas Anaplasmataceae and hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. are absent. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine the occurrence of selected tick-borne pathogens and characterize the genetic diversity of Theileria equi in donkey populations in Croatia.

August 22, 2026MicroorganismsOpen Access

Molecular Survey of Selected Tick-Borne Pathogens and Genetic Diversity of Theileria equi in Donkeys from Croatia

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Authors

NKNika KonstantinovićUniversity of Zagreb DJDaria JurkovićCroatian Veterinary Institute AKAntun KostelićUniversity of Zagreb

Discussion

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Overview

Cross-sectional study reveals a 22.96% prevalence and genetic diversity of Theileria equi in healthy donkeys, indicating localized transmission of tick-borne parasites.

Key Points

To determine the occurrence of selected tick-borne pathogens and characterize the genetic diversity of Theileria equi in donkey populations in Croatia.
Screened blood samples from 135 apparently healthy donkeys across 15 herds in six Croatian counties using PCR assays for piroplasms, Anaplasmataceae, and hemotropic Mycoplasma spp.
Performed sequence analysis, haplotype determination, and phylogenetic analysis on positive Theileria equi samples.
Theileria equi was the only pathogen detected, with an overall prevalence of 22.96% (31/135; 95% CI: 15.99–29.94%), while Anaplasmataceae and hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. were not detected.
Infection rates varied significantly by herd size (p = 0.012) and clustered entirely in three herds within the littoral region, peaking at 50.0% (17/34) in Šibensko-Kninska County.
Sequence analysis identified three T. equi haplotypes: D (70.97%; 22/31), A (25.81%; 8/31), and E (3.23%; 1/31), confirming multiple distinct phylogenetic lineages.

Cite This Study

Konstantinović et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a895f41ca7ade938187dbf5 https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14081840

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August 22, 2026MicroorganismsOpen Access

Molecular Survey of Selected Tick-Borne Pathogens and Genetic Diversity of Theileria equi in Donkeys from Croatia

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

NKNika KonstantinovićUniversity of Zagreb DJDaria JurkovićCroatian Veterinary Institute AKAntun KostelićUniversity of Zagreb

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Cross-sectional study reveals a 22.96% prevalence and genetic diversity of Theileria equi in healthy donkeys, indicating localized transmission of tick-borne parasites.

Key Points

To determine the occurrence of selected tick-borne pathogens and characterize the genetic diversity of Theileria equi in donkey populations in Croatia.
Screened blood samples from 135 apparently healthy donkeys across 15 herds in six Croatian counties using PCR assays for piroplasms, Anaplasmataceae, and hemotropic Mycoplasma spp.
Performed sequence analysis, haplotype determination, and phylogenetic analysis on positive Theileria equi samples.
Theileria equi was the only pathogen detected, with an overall prevalence of 22.96% (31/135; 95% CI: 15.99–29.94%), while Anaplasmataceae and hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. were not detected.
Infection rates varied significantly by herd size (p = 0.012) and clustered entirely in three herds within the littoral region, peaking at 50.0% (17/34) in Šibensko-Kninska County.
Sequence analysis identified three T. equi haplotypes: D (70.97%; 22/31), A (25.81%; 8/31), and E (3.23%; 1/31), confirming multiple distinct phylogenetic lineages.

Cite This Study

Konstantinović et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a895f41ca7ade938187dbf5 https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14081840

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