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The current work was conducted to unveil the current situation for the infection by Theileria annulata in cattle in Al-Hilla City, Iraq. A total of 225 blood samples (200 from suspected infected animals and 25 from clinically healthy animals as a control group) were collected. These samples were subjected to a direct slide-smearing for detection using a microscope and DNA sequencing, targeting the cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene of 10 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products. The thin smear findings of the 200 suspected cases revealed that 63 (31.5%) were infected with Theileria spp., while 115 (57.5%) cases had no Theileria but other blood parasites; however, only 22 (11%) suspected cases showed no presence of any parasites. Unsurprisingly, the 25 blood samples from the control group demonstrated no presence of any blood parasite. Moreover, the DNA sequencing demonstrated that the Theileria spp. belonged to T. annulata species, and these sequences were nucleotide-based similar to Gene-Bank isolates from Tunisia (ON035604, ON035605, ON035606, ON035607, ON035608, ON035609, ON035610, ON035611, ON035612, and ON035613). The present study outcomes indicate that theileriosis is the dominant parasitic infection in cattle in Al-Hilla City and is highly caused by Theileria annulata.

BACKGROUND: Ovine theileriosis is an important hemoprotozoal disease of sheep and goats in tropical and subtropical regions which causes high economic loss in the livestock industry. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was the differential detection of Theileria species in sheep using PCR method. METHODS: Two hundred blood samples of sheep were investigated in order to differentially diagnose Theileria species. DNA was extracted from blood samples and DNA samples were amplified using specific primers designed for 18S rRNA, TamS1 and TaSp genes. RESULTS: In this study, from 200 examined samples, 42 samples (21%) were infected by Theileria spp. and none of them were infected by Babesia spp. Moreover, from these 42 positive samples, 24 samples (57.1%) were only infected by T. ovis. 12 samples (28.5%) were only infected by T. lestoquardi, 2 samples (4.7%) were only infected by T. annulata and 4 samples (9.5%) were simultaneously infected by T. lestoquardi and T. ovis. The results of nucleotide sequencing showed that PCR product of 18S rRNA from T. lestoquardi has 99 and 95% similarity with T. annulata and T. ovis respectively. T. lestoquardi and T. annulata showed 86% similarity. Also TaSp gene of T. ovis in comparison with T. annulata and T. lestoquardi showed 96 and 86% similarity, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study could be shown that the two genes (TamS1 and TaSp) from examined three genes could be used for Theileria species specific diagnosis by PCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While screening of selected herds of cattle (each having minimum 15 animals), 28 animals were found positive for tropical theileriosis (Theileria annulata) from a total of 260. The overall bi-monthly incidence rate was 10.8% from April-July, 2011 in Faisalabad. 89.3% and 10.71% in females and males respectively. To check breed wise prevalence, 4 out of all 28 positive animals were of Red Sindhi and Dhanni showing 14.2% prevalence, and rests of all were crossbred with 85.71% prevalence. The bi-monthly incidence during April-May was 28.57% while in June-July this was 71.42%. The suspected cattle were subjected to analysis by making thin blood and lymph smears. After confirmation, 28 animals were divided into two equal groups. The animals of group A were treated with extracts of Peganum harmala harmala at the dose rate of 7 mg/kg b.w intramuscularly while those of group B were treated with buparvaqoune at-the dose rate of 2.5mg/kg b.w intramuscularly (According to manufactured Comp.). Twelve animals were recovered after treatment with P. harmala (85.71%) and 2 could not be cured and died (14.28%) while in case of animals treated with buparvaquone, 13 cattle recovered (92.85%) and one animal died (7.14%). The obtained data were then subjected to Chi-Square Test for analysis of variance.