Abstract
Tick-borne pathogens (TBP) are a major source of production loss and a welfare concern in livestock across the globe. Consequently, there is a trade-off between keeping animals that are tolerant to TBP infection, but are less productive than more susceptible breeds. Theileria annulata is a major TBP of bovines, with different host types (i.e. exotic and native cattle breeds, and buffalo) displaying demonstrable differences in clinical susceptibility to infection. However, the extent to which these differences are driven by genetic/physiological differences between hosts, or by different parasite populations/genotypes preferentially establishing infection in different host breeds and species is unclear. In this study, three different bovine host types in India were blood sampled to test for the presence of various TBP, including Theileria annulata, to determine whether native cattle (Bos indicus breeds), crossbreed cattle (Bos taurus x Bos indicus breeds) or water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) differ in the physiological consequences of infection. Population genetic analyses of T. annulata isolated from the three different host types was also performed, using a panel of mini- and micro-satellite markers, to test for sub-structuring of the parasite population among host types. We discovered that compared to other host types, “carrier” crossbreed cattle showed a higher level of haematological pathology when infected with T. annulata. Despite this finding, we found no evidence for differences in the genotypes of T. annulata infecting different host types, although buffalo appeared to harbour fewer mixed parasite genotype infections, indicating they are not the major reservoir of parasite diversity. The apparent tolerance/resistance of native breed cattle and buffalo to the impacts of T. annulata infection is thus most likely to be driven by host genotype, rather than differences in the parasite population. Our results suggest that an improved understanding of the genetic factors that underpin disease resistance could help to ameliorate future economic loss due to TBP or tropical theileriosis.
Highlights
Tick-borne pathogens (TBP) have major welfare and economic implications across the globe
A major aim of the present study was to assess whether host type plays a significant role in determining the physiological impact of TBP infections, with a particular emphasis on T. annulata infected individuals and with sub-clinically infected animals classified as carriers
This study set out to investigate whether the physiological impact of TBP infection differed between host types in terms of clinical signs and haematological parameters classically associated with tick-borne disease
Summary
Tick-borne pathogens (TBP) have major welfare and economic implications across the globe. Costs associated with cattle ticks and the pathogens they transmit are estimated to be as high as 18.7 billion USD per year (de Castro, 1997). A general and long-standing control measure against tick-borne disease (TBD) is the application of acaricides (Graham and Hourrigan, 1997). Acaricides, are associated with several drawbacks including reduced efficacy due to tick resistance, sensitivity of hosts to their application and a detrimental impact on the environment (George et al, 2004). One strategy is to promote rearing of cattle breeds, including crossbreed, with increased genetic resistance to ticks and the diseases they transmit in an attempt to reduce economic loss and improve productivity. MOI (mean n alleles per locus ± S.D.). MOI (non-0 mean n alleles per locus ± S.D.).
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