Nested PCR Detection of Theileria equi Infection and Frequency in Horses Imported into Mexico

The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of Theileria equi in horses imported into Mexico. During different stages of quarantine, 348 blood samples were taken from clinically healthy horses imported into Mexico from 2011 to 2013. Nested PCR (nPCR) of the Merozoite Antigen-1 (EMA-1) gene was performed for pathogen detection. In total, 93 horses tested positive for T. equi resulting in a 26.72% frequency with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) of 22.07-31.37%. This is the first molecular diagnostics study to identify T. equi-positive horses imported into Mexico these results highlight the importance of nPCR analysis for T. equi in clinically healthy imported horses.