Prevalence and risk factors associated with tropical theileriosis in Egyptian dairy cattle

Research (Published online: 14-04-2022)

14. Prevalence and risk factors associated with tropical theileriosis in Egyptian dairy cattle

Abdelfattah Selim, William Weir and Hanem Khater

Veterinary World, 15(4): 919-924

Abdelfattah Selim: Department of Animal Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Toukh 13736, Egypt.

William Weir: Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow, G61 1QH, UK.

Hanem Khater: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Toukh 13736, Egypt.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2022.919-924

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Article history: Received: 24-01-2022, Accepted: 04-03-2022, Published online: 14-04-2022

Corresponding author: Abdelfattah Selim

E-mail: abdelfattah.selim@fvtm.bu.edu.eg

Citation: Selim A, Weir W, Khater H (2022) Prevalence and risk factors associated with tropical theileriosis in Egyptian dairy cattle, Veterinary World, 15(4): 919-924.

Abstract

Background and Aim: Theileria annulata is the most prevalent piroplasm infecting cattle across Egypt. Theileriosis is transmitted by ixodid ticks of the genus Hyalomma. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of theileriosis in cattle and their associated risk factors for infection.

Materials and Methods: A total of 570 blood samples were collected from cattle from five governorates (administrative districts) in Egypt and examined using a polymerase chain reaction assay to estimate the prevalence of tropical theileriosis and assess the associated risk factors.

Results: The overall prevalence rate was 16.49%, with the Alexandria district having the highest prevalence. The results revealed that the risk of theileriosis was elevated in older cattle (odds ratio [OR]=8.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.6- 21.9), especially in summers (OR=3.07, 95% CI: 1.4-6.3). Cattle heavily infested with ticks were at particular risk (OR=3.05, 95% CI: 2.1-4.5), as were those to which acaricide had not been applied (OR=13.7, 95% CI: 5.6-33.6).

Conclusion: Understanding the risk factors associated with T. annulata infection and regular infection monitoring could reduce infection rates and economic losses and is essential for the implementation of efficient control programs.

Keywords: cattle, Egypt, polymerase chain reaction, risk factors, Theileria annulata.