PREVALENCE AND MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS OF THEILERIA ANNULATA IN BOVINE FROM THREE DISTINCTS ZONES OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA PROVINCE, PAKISTAN
S. H. Farooqi1*, M. Ijaz1, M. H. Saleem1, M. I. Rashid2, S. S. Ahmad1, S. Islam3, A. I. Aqib1, A. Khan4, K. Hussain1 and N. U Khan1.
1Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 2Department of Parasitology, 3Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 4Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore (54600).
Corresponding Author Email: shahid.farooqivet@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Tropical theileriosis is a tick-borne hemoparasitic disease and is responsible for huge economic losses in livestock sector of Pakistan. Bovine of three distinct zones of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province were examined to determine the molecular prevalence of T. annulata along with associated risk factors. A total of 900 blood samples (n=479 cows; n=421 buffaloes) were collected and examined; 170 (18.88%) were found positive for T. annulata. The central zone showed greater prevalence 65/300 (21.67%), followed by southern zone 56/300 (18.67%) and northern zone 49/300 (16.33%). A significant difference (P< 0.05) was observed in cows as compared to buffalo population (P > 0.05). Univariate analysis of risk factors including temporal zones, species, breeds, sexes, age, management systems, tick infestation, previous tick history, tick control, types of acaricides used and interval of acaricides usages revealed a significant (P< 0.05) association with prevalence of T. annulata in bovine. This study will help in developing more effective control of T. annulata in bovine of Pakistan. The results revealed here will help in developing more effective control strategies in future for dairy farmers in Pakistan.
Key words: Theileria annulata, Prevalence, Risk factors, Temporal Zones.
|
