{
  "id": 18004368,
  "title": "The ecological niche and seasonality of Theileria equi in Portugal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/the-ecological-niche-and-seasonality-of-theileria-equi-in-portugal",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-11-03T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.11.02.763573v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Equine piroplasmosis, triggered by the tick-borne protozoan Theileria equi, is a growing concern in Europe. Portugal, where the disease is endemic, has shown limited knowledge regarding the impact of seasonal and spatial abiotic factors that influence infection. By utilizing field-surveillance data from equine PCR testing and publicly available data, researchers aimed to understand the spatio-temporal patterns and ecological niche of Theileria equi. The study found that the probability of infection is influenced by local bovine abundance, temperature, the presence of planosol soils, and the density of equines. In general, higher infection probabilities were observed in female and pasture-kept horses. The investigation revealed strong seasonal patterns in infection probability, with the highest probabilities occurring in August and the lowest in February. Spatially, regions in the far north and northeast had low infection probabilities year-round, while central and northwestern areas experienced high infection probabilities both during and outside the typical transmission season. These findings suggest that the former might be less effective reservoirs, while the latter are suitable for year-round infection. The research provides a quantitative, risk-stratified framework for targeted surveillance, awareness, and control measures against Theileria equi in Portugal.",
  "summary": "Equine piroplasmosis, caused by the tick-borne protozoan Theileria equi, is an evolving concern in Europe. In recent years, it has been associated with substantial economic costs and with transmission showing signs of pushing into previously free or marginal northern regions. While piroplasmosis is endemic in Portugal, not much is known about the interplay of seasonally varying and spatial…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}