Seroepidemiology and Risk Factors Associated with <i>Theileria equi</i> and <i>Babesia caballi</i> Infections in Horses from Borno and Yobe States, Nigeria

Background: Theileria equi and Babesia caballi are tick-borne hemoparasites that infect horses, causing significant economic losses. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with T. equi and B. caballi infections in horses from Borno and Yobe states, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 384 horses from Borno and Yobe states. Blood samples were collected and analyzed using ELISA to detect antibodies against T. equi and B. caballi. Relative risk (RR) and odds ratio (OR) were computed to determine the association between risk factors and seropositivity. Results: The overall seroprevalence of T. equi and B. caballi was 60.4% and 71.9%, respectively. The data were analyzed using relative risk and odds ratio, which revealed that horses from Borno state (RR = 0.7692, 95% CI: 0.6410 to 0.9231) were less likely to be T. equi seropositive. Similarly, horses from Yobe state (RR = 1.0714, 95% CI: 0.8519 to 1.3476) were at a higher risk of being B. caballi seropositive. Conclusion: This study revealed a high seroprevalence of T. equi and B. caballi in horses from Borno and Yobe states, Nigeria. Horses from Borno state and those with tick infestation were at a higher risk of B. caballi seropositivity, while horses from Yobe state and those with tick infestation were at a higher risk of T. equi seropositivity. These findings highlight the need for effective tick control measures and regular monitoring of horses for T. equi and B. caballi infections.