Epidemiological situation of bovine tropical theileriosis in an arid region in central Tunisia with a phylogenetic analysis of Theileria annulata.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Tropical theileriosis, Theileria annulata infection, is the most prevalent summer disease in Tunisia. It is transmitted by Hyalomma scupense, a two-host tick known to be endophilic.

Objectives

The present study aimed to estimate the infection prevalence of cattle by T. annulata in two districts from central Tunisia.

Methods

Blood samples collected from 270 Holstein cattle from the Sidi Bouzid (140 samples) and Kasserine districts (130 samples) were analysed by Giemsa staining and T. annulata-specific PCR.

Results

In both regions, PCR revealed a prevalence of 32.6%. This was significantly higher than the 6.3% prevalence obtained by Giemsa staining blood smears (p < 0.001). Giemsa staining also revealed a low parasitaemia of 0.05%. The PCR-based preval

SUBMITTER: Elati K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10650360 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature