The first survey of Theileria orientalis infection in Mongolian cattle.

Authors :: Altangerel K
Battsetseg B
Battur B
Sivakumar T
Batmagnai E
Javkhlan G
Tuvshintulga B
Igarashi I
Matsumoto K
Inokuma H
Yokoyama N
Source :: Veterinary parasitology [Vet Parasitol] 2011 Dec 15; Vol. 182 (2-4), pp. 343-8. Date of Electronic Publication: 2011 May 27.
Publication Year :: 2011
Abstract: In the present study, we have surveyed the presence of a bovine Theileria protozoan, Theileria orientalis, in Mongolian cattle and engorging tick populations from selected provinces and districts in Mongolia. The percentages of infection in the cattle and ticks ranged from 8.8 to 66.6 and from 3.7 to 73.3, respectively, on a per district basis. The genetic diversity of T. orientalis isolates was also studied, based on the protozoan gene encoding a major piroplasm surface protein (MPSP). At least five genotypes (types 1, 3, 5, 7, and N-3) of T. orientalis were found to be circulating among the Mongolian cattle and tick populations. In particular, types 3 and N-3 were common in most of the districts examined, while a strong geographical relationship among the genotypes was not detected in the present study. This is the first epidemiological report describing the presence of T. orientalis infection in Mongolian cattle.<br /> (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)