1Disease Investigation Laboratory, LUVAS, Ambala
2Regional Research Centre, LUVAS, Uchani
3Assistant Disease Investigation Officer, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar
*Corresponding author E-mail: anandprakash@luvas.edu.in
Online published on 16 July, 2018.
Tropical theileriosis, a tick-borne hemoprotozoan disease caused by Theileria annulata and transmitted by Hyalomma spp., is one of the most devastating blood parasites affecting crossbred cattle. The present study is aimed to compare direct blood PCR with microscopy for detection of theileriosis in crossbred cattle. Blood samples with anticoagulant from 50 crossbred cattle from Ambala district of Haryana, with history of pyrexia, were tested by microscopic examination by Giemsa's staining and direct blood PCR. Out of 50 blood samples, 16 (32%) samples showed characteristic piroplasms when stained with Giemsa's stain whereas 33 (66%) samples were found positive for T. annulata by direct blood PCR assay. The direct blood PCR was found to be more sensitive technique than microscopic examination and may be recommended for epidemiological studies/diagnosis in the field for screening of theileriosis.
Tropical theileriosis, Cross breed cattle, Hyalomma ticks, Haemoprotozoan disease, Direct blood PCR
