Comparative Efficiency of Two Diagnostic Tests in the Identification of Theileria spp in cattle in Makurdi Benue, Nigeria.

Wrong identification and characterization of Theileria species in cattle may be associated with economic loss via low productive rate in cattle business. A study was designed to compare microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in identification and characterization of Theileria species of cattle within Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria. Blood samples were collected from cattle of both sexes and analysed microscopically using thin blood film and DNA examination was done using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Theileria species were identified and characterized by PCR amplification using species specific primers of 18s rRNA for Theileria Spp. Data obtained were analysed using chi square, and P values at less than 0.05 were considered significant different. The result revealed the presence of Theileria. The result of comparison of prevalence of infection of Theileriosis using microscopy and PCR revealed that, microscopy was able to detect only 1.77 % of Theileria but PCR detected 13.3% of Theileria. The percentage of prevalence of Theileria species was highly detected by PCR than microscopy and this was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Theileriosis in cattle have been seen to be prevalence in Makurdi metropolis and molecular method such as PCR can effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]