For general laboratory and research use only
Babesia caballi is an obligate intracellular, protozoan parasite that causes the disease
equine piroplasmosis. Although the disease is endemic to sub-tropical regions of the world,
it has been reported worldwide thus making this disease a cause of great concern in the
global horse industry. The parasite has a small linear DNA genome and is transmitted by
ticks of several genera including Boophilus, Hyalomma, Dermacentor and Rhipicephalus.
This disease is also known to affect donkeys, mules and zebras.
The parasite enters the host in the trophozoite ("ring") form and invades the red blood cells
by apicoplast action, where it multiplies through binary fission. This increase in parasitic
number results in rupture of the erythrocytes causing anaemia and facilitating protozoan
spread to other cells. The merozoite form is ingested by uninfected ticks when feeding and
settle to the midgut where they multiply. The virus then migrates to the salivary glands,
ready for injection into a new host.
Incubation for the parasite is 12 to 19 days. The severity of the disease depends on
whether the horse was previously exposed to the agent and on immunity status. The
clinical signs of this disease are not pathognomonic and may vary considerably between
horses. They may exhibit apathy, lethargy, fever, anaemia, icterus, weight loss and
oedema of distal limbs. Infected horses can remain as carriers for long periods
Introduction to Babesia caballi
The PCR Max qPCR Kit for Babesia caballi (B.caballi) genomes is designed for the in vitro
quantification of B.caballi genomes. The kit is designed to have the broadest detection
profile possible whilst remaining specific to the B.caballi genome.
The primers and probe sequences in this kit have 100% homology with a broad range of
B.caballi sequences based on a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis.
If you require further information, or have a specific question about the detection profile of
this kit then please send an e.mail to help@pcrmax.com and our bioinformatics team will
answer your question.
Kit Contents
• B.caballi specific primer/probe mix (150 reactions BROWN)
FAM labelled
• B.caballi positive control template (for Standard curve RED)
• Internal extraction control primer/probe mix (150 reactions BROWN)
VIC labelled as standard
• Internal extraction control DNA (150 reactions BLUE)
• Endogenous control primer/probe mix (150 reactions BROWN)
FAM labelled
• RNAse/DNAse free water (WHITE)
for resuspension of primer/probe mixes and internal extraction control DNA
• Template preparation buffer (YELLOW)
for resuspension of positive control template and standard curve preparation
Reagents and equipment to be supplied by the user
Real-Time PCR Instrument
DNA extraction kit
This kit designed to work well with all processes that yield high quality DNA with minimal
PCR inhibitors.
Lyophilised 2x qPCR Mastermix
This kit is designed to be compatible with all commercially available Mastermixes that run
with standard cycling conditions.
Pipettors and Tips
Vortex and centrifuge
Thin walled 1.5 ml PCR reaction tubes