Theileria Parva Research Articles

THEILERIOSIS IN BUFFALO: A CASE STUDY

Bovine theileriosis is caused by the protozoan parasite Theileria annulata and Theileria parva and is transmitted through tick Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus, respectively leading to economic losses and causes devastating losses to the livestock worldwide. This paper deals with clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of theileriosis in buffalo having 4years of age and clinical signs observed were; high fever (106.7oF), anorexia, enlarge lymph nodes, dyspnoea and ocular discharge with pale mucous membrane. The peripheral blood smear confirmed the presence of Koch blue bodies. The animal was treated with a single dose of Buparvaquone, 2.5 mg/kg i.m. along with supportive therapy.

A study on tick borne infections of cattle in Yola locality of Adamawa State

Blood samples were collected and examined for haemoparasites from 1530 cattle composed of four breeds: Adamawa gudali (434), Sokoto gudali (386), Red bororo (414) and Bunaji (298). Six hundred and forty (41.8%) of those examined were infected with haemoparasites. Three species of tick-borne parasites were encountered namely Babesia bigemina, Theileria parva and Anaplasma marginale and a non-tick borne parasite Trypanasoma vivax. Adamawa gudali was the most infected (44.5%), followed by Sokoto Gudali (43.0%). The least infected was Bunaji (37.9%). Chi square analysis showed significant association between infection and breed of cattle (P<0.05). Seven species of ixodid ticks were collected from the cattle namely, Amblyomma variegatum, Amblyomma lepidum, Hyalomma truncatum, Hyalomma rufipes, Boophilus decolaratus, Boophilus annulatus and Rhipicephalus evertsi. Monthly tick distribution shows that the month of April had the least tick burden. Whereas, the month of August recorded the highest tick burden. Key words: Haemoparasites, Chi square analysis.

Comparison of the survival of Theileria parva-infected adult Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (Acari: Ixodidae) and their infection under simulated climate conditions in the laboratory and in the field

Five groups of adult Rhipicephalus appendiculatus Neumann, with an average of 98 Theileria parva-infected salivary gland acini per tick, were exposed to four different temperature conditions in the laboratory or to quasi-natural conditions in Kenya. The survival of the infected ticks and T. parva parasites in their salivary glands were determined over time. Ticks kept under quasi-natural conditions survived up to 86 weeks. This period was longer than that of ticks exposed to any of the four laboratory conditions, except the diurnal temperature rhythm of 13–23 °C and 85% relative humidity (RH) to which it was comparable. Theileria parva survived for 82 weeks in ticks exposed to quasi-natural conditions, a period which was much longer than that of the parasites in ticks maintained under any of the laboratory conditions. Survival of the infected ticks and their infections seemed to be adversely affected by higher temperatures in the laboratory or drought in the field. There was an apparent density-dependent influence in parasite survival, with a dramatic fall in infection occurring in the more highly infected ticks before stabilizing at lower levels. Resume: Cinq groupes de Rhipicephalus appendiculatus Neumann adultes avec un taux moyen d’infestation de leurs glandes salivaires de 98% par Theileria parva, ont ete exposes a quatre conditions de temperature differentes au laboratoire et a des conditions presque naturelles. La survie des tiques et de leurs parasites a ete suivie dans le temps. Les tiques maintenues en conditions naturelles ont survecu pres de 86 semaines. Cette duree de survie est superieure a celles observees dans les autres conditions de laboratoire, a l’exception des tiques maintenues a un rythme de temperatures de 13–23°C et une humidite relative de 85%. Theileria parva a survecu pres de 82 semaines dans les tiques maintenues en conditions naturelles, une duree de survie superieure a celles des parasites maintenues en conditions de laboratoire. La survie des tiques et de leurs parasites semble etre alteree par les temperatures elevees du laboratoire et par la secheresse des conditions naturelles. Il semble que la survie du parasite est fortement influencee par la densite, avec une chute drastique de l’infection sur les tiques fortement infestees, suivie d’une stabilisation aux faibles valeurs.

The naming game: the changing fortunes of East Coast fever and Theileria parva.

Since first being recognised at the turn of the century, East Coast fever of cattle and its causal parasite Theileria parva have undergone numerous name changes as scientists have observed differences in the distribution, severity, characteristics and host associations of the disease within Africa. These changes have caused considerable confusion to scientists and affected the control of infections caused by T parva in the field. The justification for the decisions affecting the nomenclature of T parva and the diseases it causes are documented and reviewed, and their validity is considered in the light of current knowledge. Areas of research required to clarify the remaining confusion are identified.

Geographical information systems for studying the epidemiology of cattle diseases caused by Theileria parva.

Data on selected variables which influence the epidemiology of cattle diseases caused by Theileria parva were assembled and entered in a computerised geographical information system. Variables studied included the distributions of major hosts (cattle and buffalo), the vector ticks (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and related species) and the reported presence of East Coast fever, corridor disease and January disease. In addition, the distribution of climatic suitability for R appendiculatus was assessed using the model CLIMEX run on an interpolated climate database developed for Africa. Distribution maps of each variable were produced. The potential value of geographical information systems in studies of disease epidemiology and control is discussed, with examples of how sensitivity may be enhanced by the inclusion of additional variables. In addition, subject areas in which poor data quality and inadequate data standardisation may limit the use of these systems are identified and discussed.

Chemotherapy of East Coast fever. Treatment of infections induced by isolates of Theileria parva with halofuginone.

Cattle were infected with three isolates of Theileria parva and treated with halofuginone lactate during acute clinical disease. The health, weight gain and carrier state of the cattle were monitored for 15 months. Limited treatment rapidly reduced fever and parasitosis but parasite recrudescences occurred and 12 out of 21 treated cattle died. Persistent carrier states were identified with two T. p. parva isolate infections and a transient carrier state with T. p. lawrencei. Three cattle which died from a chronic wasting syndrome during the follow-up period showed exhaustion of lymph nodes but no Theileria macroschizonts were detected in any tissue.

Additions and Corrections - In Vitro Activity of 2-Alkyl-3-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinones against Theileria parva

Additions and Corrections - In Vitro Activity of 2-Alkyl-3-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinones against Theileria parva

Failure to Infect Splenectomized Primates with Theileria parva

Failure to Infect Splenectomized Primates with Theileria parva