We sequenced the rRNA genes and internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of several Theileria parva isolates in an attempt to
distinguish between the causative agents of East coast fever and Corridor disease. The small subunit (SSU) and large
subunit (LSU) rRNA genes from a cloned T. p. lawrencei parasite were sequenced; the former was identical to that of
T. p. parva Muguga, and there were minor heterogeneities in the latter. The 5·8S gene sequences of 11 T. parva isolates were
identical, but major differences were found in the ITS. Six characterization oligonucleotides were designed to hybridize
within the variable ITS1 region; 93·5% of T. p. parva isolates examined were detected by probe TPP1 and 81·8% of
T. p. lawrencei isolates were detected by TPL2 and/or TPL3a. There was no absolute distinction between T. p. parva and
T. p. lawrencei and the former hybridized with fewer of the probes than did the latter. It therefore seems that a relatively
homogenous subpopulation of T. parva has been selected in cattle from a more diverse gene pool in buffalo. The ITSs
of both T. p. parva and T. p. lawrencei contained different combinations of identifiable sequence segments, resulting in
a mosaic of segments in any one isolate, suggesting that the two populations undergo genetic recombination and that their
gene pools are not completely separate.
Molecular Modeling, Structural Analysis and Evaluation of 1-Deoxy-D-Xylulose-5-Phosphate Reductoisomerase (DXR) as a Putative Drug Target For Theileria Parva
