Therapeutic efficacy of Butakur against bovine theileriosis in the Caspian Sea Region of Russia

The purpose of the research is studying therapeutic properties of Butakur against spontaneous bovine theileriosis.Materials and methods. Butakur was used on the Yalgin Farm and at the Umarov Agricultural Enterprise in the Karabudakhkentskiy District to treat 30 animals in the early stage of the disease at a body temperature of 40.4–41.7 0C and a parasitic reaction of 30.2%. Piroplasmids were differentiated by microscopy of smears, imprints of lymph nodes and peripheral blood, and by detected purple bodies and parasites in them, excluding mixed infection. Two groups of animals were formed on the principle of analogs. In the test group (n = 15), Butakur was used as a specific therapy at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg for the active substance at a rate of 1 ml/20 kg of body weight, and the antimalarial drug Delagil (chloroquine) was used in the control group at a dose of 15 mg/kg within 4–5 days. A different combination of chemotherapy drugs with symptom-directed and pathogenetic drugs was used simultaneously.Results and discussion. Butakur was the most effective when used in the early period of the disease development from the moment the body temperature rose and until a slight parasitemia in erythrocytes was observed with the simultaneous use of symptom-directed and pathogenetic drugs. Out of 15 animals that received Butakur at a dose of 1 ml/20 kg (2.5 mg/kg for the active substance), 13 animals recovered, and the efficacy was 86.6%.

Genetic Diversity of Bovine Hemoprotozoa in South Korea

Tick-borne pathogens cause economically significant diseases in cattle. Theileria spp. are parasitic protozoa and the causative agent of bovine theileriosis. Here we report the distribution and risk factors of bovine Theileria using blood samples taken between 2018 and 2019. Of 737 tested cattle, nine animals (1.2%) were positive for Theileria orientalis infection by 18S rRNA gene amplification. Further analysis of the infected samples using the T. orientalis major piroplasm surface protein (MPSP) gene revealed five different genotypes circulating in the population: Types 1, 2, 3, 7, and N3. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first research to describe the existence of the T. orientalis MPSP genotype N3 in South Korea. Although the prevalence of bovine T. orientalis was low, our study offers data on the geographical distribution and prevalence of bovine Theileria spp. in South Korea. Further studies are warranted to determine the correlation of clinical symptoms with parasite MPSP genotypes. Our data provide epidemiological information to help control bovine theileriosis in South Korea.

Detection and Molecular Characterization of Babesia canis vogeli and Theileria annulata in Free-Ranging Dogs and Ticks from Shahriar County, Tehran Province, Iran

Background: We aimed to detect and characterize vector-borne parasites of Babesia and Theileria in dog and ticks by PCR assay. Canine babesiosis is a significant tick-borne disease caused by different Babesia species. As the infection has not been reported in Shahriar region Tehran, Iran, molecular techniques allowed us to identify tick-borne parasites in asymptomatic dogs. Methods: The number of 40 dog peripheral blood samples and 27 skin attached ticks were analyzed by molecular PCR assay. The specific primers were used for detecting Babesia canis, B. gibsoni and T. annulata. Results: B. c. vogeli was detected in 10 dog blood samples (25%). Additionally, T. annulata infection was identified in 13 dog blood samples (32.5%) and 18 isolated tick DNAs (66.7%). The results of PCR were confirmed by 18S rRNA and Tams1 gene sequence analyzing and have been registered in GenBank under following accession numbers for B. c. vogeli (MH793502) and T. annulata (MK105284). Conclusion: The verification of T. annulata infection in free-ranging dogs and ticks shows dogs might be considered as important natural carriers/reservoirs for T. annulata in enzootic region for bovine theileriosis. The obtained data may be useful for veterinary practitioners and dog owners to aware of Babesia and Theileria infection in dog and tick to establish the effective preventive measures.

Clinical and Pathological Studies on Cattle Experimentally Infected with Theileria annulata in China

Theileriosis is an important tick-borne protozoosis that causes high morbidity and mortality in cattle. In this study, the pathological and clinical characteristics of cattle experimentally infected with Theileria annulata were investigated. The clinical findings revealed typical signs of bovine theileriosis, including fever, enlargement of superficial lymph nodes, anemia, and respiratory distress. The most common pathological features were petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages on the mucosa and serosal surface, severe jaundice, pulmonary edema and emphysema, multifocal necrosis and numerous ulcerations in the abomasum, congestion and marble-like discoloration of the spleen, and severe intestinal ecchymotic hemorrhages. The main histological characteristics were proliferation and infiltration of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages in the lymph nodes, spleen, and lymph node mass. Macroschizonts were observed in the cytoplasm of lymphocytes and macrophages of the lymph nodes and spleen. This study has significance for basic research and the clinical detection and diagnosis of Theileria annulata infection and can aid the prevention and control of theileriosis and future studies of the pathogenic mechanisms.

Clinical Pathology, Immunopathology and Advanced Vaccine Technology in Bovine Theileriosis: A Review

Theileriosis is a blood piroplasmic disease that adversely affects the livestock industry, especially in tropical and sub-tropical countries. It is caused by haemoprotozoan of the Theileria genus, transmitted by hard ticks and which possesses a complex life cycle. The clinical course of the disease ranges from benign to lethal, but subclinical infections can occur depending on the infecting Theileria species. The main clinical and clinicopathological manifestations of acute disease include fever, lymphadenopathy, anorexia and severe loss of condition, conjunctivitis, and pale mucous membranes that are associated with Theileria-induced immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia and/or non-regenerative anaemia. Additionally, jaundice, increases in hepatic enzymes, and variable leukocyte count changes are seen. Theileria annulata and Theileria parva induce an incomplete transformation of lymphoid and myeloid cell lineages, and these cells possess certain phenotypes of cancer cells. Pathogenic genotypes of Theileria orientalis have been recently associated with severe production losses in Southeast Asia and some parts of Europe. The infection and treatment method (ITM) is currently used in the control and prevention of T. parva infection, and recombinant vaccines are still under evaluation. The use of gene gun immunization against T. parva infection has been recently evaluated. This review, therefore, provides an overview of the clinicopathological and immunopathological profiles of Theileria-infected cattle and focus on DNA vaccines consisting of plasmid DNA with genes of interest, molecular adjuvants, and chitosan as the most promising next-generation vaccine against bovine theileriosis.

Molecular prevalence of Theileria infections in cattle in Yanbian, north-eastern China

Bovine Theileria are tick-borne protozoan parasites that invade bovine erythrocytes and lymphocytes. Three main bovine Theileria species have been identified in China: T. orientalis, T. sinensis, and T. annulata. To examine the prevalence of bovine theileriosis in Yanbian, a total of 584 bovine blood samples were collected from five localities from 2017 to 2019 and analyzed by PCR. Six pairs of oligonucleotide primers directed against the 18S rRNA gene of Theileria spp., Tams-1 gene of T. annulata, MPSP gene of T. orientalis, and T. sinensis, were used to detect these parasites. A sequence analysis of the amplified genes confirmed that the Theileria species were T. orientalis and T. sinensis, without T. annulata. The overall prevalence of Theileria in cattle was 42.81% (250/584). Out of the 584 samples, 159 (27.23%) and 157 (26.88%) were positive for T. sinensis and T. orientalis, respectively, and the mixed infection rate was 11.30% (66/584). The total prevalence of bovine Theileria species in Helong, Hunchun, Longjing, Yanji, and Dunhua was 66.28%, 49.68%, 23.81%, 28.15%, and 0%, respectively. These results provide epidemiological data for the prevention and control of bovine Theileria species in Yanbian, China.

Molecular surveillance and phylogenetic analysis of Theileria annulata in bovine at Baghdad city/ Iraq

This study is conducted to investigate Theileria spp. by traditional and molecular methods. A total of 150 blood and 50 lymph samples were collected from local breed symptomatically and asymptomatically cattle of both sexes with age ranging from less than 6 months to more than 1 year during the four seasons of 2018, in different parts at Baghdad city / Iraq. Microscopic examination of Giemsa stained blood smears revealed 39.33 %( 59/150) rate of infection with bovine theileriosis and 34 %( 17/50) positive lymph smears. Statistically no significant difference recorded between female and male: 42.04 % (37/88) and 35.48 % (22/62) respectively. Higher rate of infection 57.97 % (40/69) were recorded in more than 1 year age and 0 % in less than 6 months. 48.93 % (23/47) rate of bovine theileriosis was recorded during summer and 39.53 % (17/43) ; 37.5 % (15/40) rates were recorded during spring and autumn respectively, while the lower rate recorded in winter 20 % (4/20). DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (conventional PCR) were done on all cattle blood samples the result recorded that 22 out of 25 samples were positive for Theileria spp and Theileria annulata with percentage of 88 %. Also DNA sequencing analysis and genetic relationship were conducted by phylogenetic analysis.

Chemical Composition and Acaricidal Activity of the Essential Oils of Some Plant Species of Lamiaceae and Myrtaceae against the Vector of Tropical Bovine Theileriosis: Hyalomma scupense (syn. Hyalomma detritum)

The present study aimed to investigate the acaricidal properties of six essential oils. They were extracted from some plant species (Lamiaceae and Myrtaceae) using the technique of hydrodistillation with the Clevenger apparatus. The chemical compositions of the essential oils under study were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometer (GC-MS). An Adult Immersion Test (AIT) and a Larval Immersion Test (LIT) were used to evaluate the acaricidal activity of these essential oils against the adults and larvae of Hyalomma scupense. GC-MS analysis showed the major constituents of each essential oil: 25.49% of α-thujone (lavender); 46.82% of carvacrol (oregano); 78.78% of carvacrol (thyme); 40.27% of 1,8-cineole (blue gum); 17.45% of p-cymene (river red gum); and 26.96% of 1,8-cineole (rosemary). The biotests on the essential oils revealed that they inhibit the reproduction of H. scupense engorged females at a rate of 100 % with doses of 0.781 μl/ml of rosemary, 1.562 μl/ml of thyme, 3.125 μl/ml of lavender and oregano, and 6.250 μl/ml of blue gum and river red gum. After a treatment that lasted for 24 hours, essential oils showed a larvicidal activity with respective values of lethal concentrations (LC): LC50, LC90, and LC95 (0.058, 0.358, and 0.600 μl/ml for thyme; 0.108, 0.495, and 0.761 μl/ml for rosemary; 0.131, 0.982, and 1.740 μl/ml for oregano; 0.155, 2.387, and 5.183 μl/ml for blue gum; 0.207, 1.653, and 2.978 μl/ml for river red gum; and 0.253, 2.212, and 4.092 μl/ml for lavender). This is the first report on the acaricidal activity of these essential oils against H. scupense. The results obtained showed that the essential oils with chemotype carvacrol, 1,8-cineole, α-thujone, and p-cymene are highly acaricidal, and they can be used for ticks control. However, further studies on their toxicity in nontarget organisms are required.