3-Title: Molecular detection of Theileria annulata and Theileria orientalis in cattle and its prevalence in four agro-climatic zones of Bihar

Authors: Shimpi Kumari, Pallav Shekhar, Pankaj Kumar, Madhurendra Bachan, Ajit Kumar and Pankaj Kumar

Source: Ruminant Science (2022)-11(2):267-274.

How to cite this manuscript: Kumari Shimpi, Shekhar Pallav, Kumar Pankaj, Bachan Madhurendra, Kumar Ajit and Kumar Pankaj (2022). Molecular detection of Theileria annulata and Theileria orientalis in cattle and its prevalence in four agro-climatic zones of Bihar. Ruminant Science 11(2):267-274.

Abstract

The prevalence of Theileria species in cattle from four different agroclimatic zones of Bihar, India was studied. The randomised stratified sampling was performed for these zones. Based on prefixed criteria, cattle suspected positive with clinical signs and symptoms and the presence of tick infestation or inapparent healthy animals with heavy tick infestation without clinical signs and symptoms were selected for blood sampling. A total of 400 blood samples were collected, fulfilling the above-mentioned criteria. Only those samples were selected for molecular level diagnosis which were found positive or suspected with microscopic examination. Both genus-level and species-level detection were performed. Under microscopy, out of 400 samples, 132 (33%) samples were found positive for Theileria spp. and 57 samples were doubtful. All these samples found positive or remain in doubt (189) were undertaken for PCR assay. For prevalence study on genus ground, amplification of 18s Ribosomal RNA was made by using primer UPTh1&2. A total number of 165 (41.25%) samples out of 189 samples were found positive for Theileria. Out of these positive samples, total number of 101 (25.25%) samples were found positive for Theileria annulata by using primer Tams1 and Tspms1 and 64 (16%) samples were positive for Theileria orientalis by using primer MPSP1&2. The correlation between the host and several environmental factors like various agro-climatic zones, season, age, sex, and the breed was analyzed. The prevalence of theileriosis was more in higher aged groups and crossbred cows. Females were more susceptible in the summer season. The sensitivity and specificity of both microscopical examination and molecular diagnosis were also estimated keeping microscopical examination as the gold standard. The PCR-based diagnosis had 91.11% sensitivity (95% CI-78.78-97.52%) and 100% specificity (95% CI- 92.18-100%) with a positive predictive value of 100% and negative predictive value of 91.84% (95% CI- 81.58-96.68%). Inter-rater agreements for these two tests were also evaluated. Here PCR showed perfect agreement with the microscopic examination (Kappa=0.911).

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