Equi merozoite antigen 1 (ema 1) gene based phylogenetic characterization of Theileria equi from Mathura, India

Equine piroplasmosis, caused by Theileria equi, is reported from many parts of India. However, literature regarding its phylogenetic characterization is limited. In the present study, equi merozoite antigen 1 (ema 1) gene of five isolates of T. equi was characterized by sequencing. When compared within themselves and with other isolates of T. equi across India and globe, the sequences showed 99.94-100.00% and 99.53-100% nucleotide homology, respectively. In general, the sequences were grouped with a few other earlier reported sequences from India, followed by sequences from Iran, Brazil and Israel, than to the sequences from Brazil, Thailand, South America and USA. Overall, comparison of all sequences from India with others across the globe suggests presence of different lineages of T. equi among Indian equine population. The findings are important from molecular phylogenetic analysis point of view as it suggests a fair amount of divergence between the present sequences and the previously described sequences from India.