Subclinical Theileria Equi
Infection and Rhabdomyolysis in Three Endurance Horses
A.
Muñoz1,2*, R. G. M. Rodríguez2, C. Riber1,2,
P. Trigo2, M. Gómez-Díez2 and F. Castejon2
1Department of Animal
Medicine and Surgery; 2Equine Sport Medicine Center
(CEMEDE), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba,
Córdoba, Spain *Corresponding author: pv1mujua@uco.es
Abstract
Three well-trained endurance
horses, competing over different distances, developed sudden and unexpected
rhabdomyolysis at the onset of exercise. They were treated and afterwards they
did not have any other bout of muscle damage. All of them were positive to
Theileria equi (polymerase reaction
chain). The possible reasons of the rhabdomyolysis could have been the direct
effect of the parasite on the muscle and/or the result of the anemia and a
limited oxygen supply to the exercising muscles. It is suggested that the horses
were carriers of Theileria and they
developed clinical signs because of the immune-suppression caused by prolonged
submaximal exercise and/or transportation.