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Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. are closely related cyst-forming coccidian parasites, which infect various animal species and have considerable zoonotic and economic implications, respectively. Both parasites are endemic in Israel and have been reported to infect wild and domestic animals. This study was conceived to evaluate the serologic exposure of donkeys to these parasites. Serum samples were collected from 98 donkeys. Half of them (n = 49) were from animal shelters in Israel, and the rest (n = 49) were working donkeys from the Palestinian Authority. The donkeys were screened for the presence of anti- Toxoplasma and anti- Neospora antibodies by immunofluorescence antibody tests (IFATs). The seroprevalence of T. gondii and Neospora spp. was 94% and 70%, respectively, and 69% of the donkeys were exposed to both parasites. In addition, N. caninum tissue cysts were documented in two donkeys during post-mortem examination. This is the first report of the exposure of donkeys to T. gondii and Neospora spp. in the area. The high prevalence found in this study suggests that donkeys may have a role in the maintenance of these parasites in the area, thus serving as a source of infection for the definitive hosts.

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is an important tick-borne disease of equids, caused by Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. It is endemic in most parts of the world, including Israel, and has clinical and economic consequences. This study was set to evaluate the presence of EP parasites in domestic donkeys and in wild equids in Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA). To assess subclinical EP infection in 98 domestic donkeys (Equus africanus asinus), 9 Asiatic wild donkeys (Equus hemionus), 8 zebras (Equus quagga), 7 African wild donkeys (Equus africanus) and 5 mules, were tested using PCR and qPCR. Positive samples were characterized by amplification and sequencing of a 1600 bp fragment of the 18S rRNA gene. Babesia caballi was not detected in any of the animals. Theileria equi was detected in 32% of the donkeys, 89% of Asiatic wild donkeys, 57% of African wild donkeys, 62% of zebras and none of the mules. Parasitemia was low in all of the positive samples. Risk factors associated with infection in donkeys included one farm (Kiryat Gat) and animal sex (male). The sequences of the 18S rRNA gene from domestic donkeys were all similar, and belonged to the T. equi genotype D, similar to the genotype sequenced from horses in the same area, while sequences from wild donkeys were unique and belonged to the T. equi genotype A. Verification of the T. equi genotype in zebras could not be concluded, suggesting major genetic variation., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)