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Home / Equine Research Bank / Parasitol Res / Detection of Theileria spp. in ticks, sheep keds (Melophagus...
Parasitology research2020; 119(8); 2641-2648; doi: 10.1007/s00436-020-06757-6

Detection of Theileria spp. in ticks, sheep keds (Melophagus ovinus), and livestock in the eastern Tibetan Plateau, China.

Abstract: Theileria species, with a broad geographic distribution, infect a wide range of both domestic and wild animals and are transmitted by ixodid ticks. Currently, there is no comprehensive report regarding the distribution of Theileria spp. in the eastern Tibetan Plateau, especially in Ganze Tibetan autonomous prefecture (153,700 km) and Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture (84,242 km) of Sichuan province, China. In this study, we collected blood samples from yaks (n = 144) (Bos grunniens), Tibetan sheep (n = 92), and Tibet horses (n = 142) in Ganze and Ngawa.Theileria sinensis, T. luwenshuni, and T. equi were the dominant Theileria species detected in yaks, Tibetan sheep, and horses with the total infection rates of 25.7% (37/144), 75.0% (69/92), and 51.4% (73/142), respectively. For ectoparasites, T. luwenshuni was the only Theileria species detected in sheep keds (Melophagus ovinus) with an infection rate of 30.8% (8/26). The total infection rates of T. sinensis in Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis, Dermacentor everestianus, and Rhipicephalus microplus were 34.6% (36/104), 34.0% (17/50), and 51.3% (58/113), respectively. Theileria spp., belonging to T. sergenti/buffeli/orientalis group, were only detected in R. microplus collected in Danba county of Ganze with a total infection rate of 39.9% (19/48). Our results provide important data of the epidemiology of Theileria spp. in livestock and ectoparasites and will assist with the implementation of measures to control theileriosis transmission in eastern Tibetan Plateau, China.
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Publication Date: 2020-06-18 PubMed ID: 32556503PubMed Central: 44952DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06757-6Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article focuses on the detection and distribution study of Theileria species in livestock and ectoparasites in the eastern Tibetan Plateau, China. The findings provide crucial epidemiological information that can aid the implementation of control measures against theileriosis transmission in the region.

Description of the Study

  • The researchers aimed to provide a comprehensive report on the distribution of Theileria species (parasitic diseases that can infect a variety of animals) in the eastern Tibetan Plateau, particularly in the Ganze Tibetan autonomous prefecture and Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture of Sichuan province, China. This project was initiated in response to a lack of current, comprehensive data about Theileria spp distribution, and their transmission by ixodid ticks within the region.
  • Blood samples were collected from yaks, Tibetan sheep and Tibetan horses, and Theileria sinensis, T. luwenshuni, and T. equi were found to be the dominant species in the sampled animals. The total infection rates were found to be 25.7% for yaks, 75.0% for Tibetan sheep, and 51.4% for horses.
  • Regarding ectoparasites, T. luwenshuni was the only Theileria species detected in sheep keds (Melophagus ovinus) with an infection rate of 30.8%. In ticks, T. sinensis was found in different species with varying infection rates: 34.6% in Haemaphysalis qinghaiensis, 34.0% in Dermacentor everestianus, and 51.3% in Rhipicephalus microplus.
  • Theileria spp., belonging to the T. sergenti/buffeli/orientalis group, were only detected in R. microplus collected in Danba county of Ganze with an infection rate of 39.9%.

Implications of the Study

  • The findings shed light on the epidemiology of Theileria species in the eastern Tibetan Plateau. They reveal high infection rates in both livestock and ectoparasites, which points to the need for effective control measures against theileriosis transmission in the area.
  • The research provides valuable epidemiological data needed for the development of effective preventive strategies and control measures against Theileria species transmission. This includes potential vaccination programs, parasite control practices, and public awareness campaigns about the risks associated with these parasitic diseases.

Cite This Article

APA
Hao L, Yuan D, Li S, Jia T, Guo L, Hou W, Lu Z, Mo X, Yin J, Yang A, Zheng W, Li R. (2020). Detection of Theileria spp. in ticks, sheep keds (Melophagus ovinus), and livestock in the eastern Tibetan Plateau, China. Parasitol Res, 119(8), 2641-2648. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-020-06757-6

Publication

Parasitology research
ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 119
Issue: 8
Pages: 2641-2648

Researcher Affiliations

Hao, Lili
  • College of Life Science and Technology, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, China.
Yuan, Dongbo
  • Center for Animal Disease Control and Prevention in Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China.
Li, Shuhong
  • Beijing Key Laboratory of Captive Wildlife Technologies, Beijing Zoo, Beijing, China.
Jia, Ting
  • Beijing Key Laboratory of Captive Wildlife Technologies, Beijing Zoo, Beijing, China.
Guo, Li
  • Sichuan Institute of Veterinary Drug Control, Chengdu, China.
Hou, Wei
  • Center for Animal Disease Control and Prevention in Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China.
Lu, Zhiping
  • Animal Husbandry and Veterinarian Department, Chengdu Agriculture College, Chengdu, China.
Mo, Xi
  • Center for Animal Disease Control and Prevention in Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China.
Yin, Jie
  • Center for Animal Disease Control and Prevention in Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China.
Yang, Aiguo
  • Center for Animal Disease Control and Prevention in Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China.
Zheng, Wei
  • Guangxi Buffalo Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Nanning, China.
Li, Rui
  • Institute of Quality and Standard for Agro-products, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China. microvet@163.com.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Arachnid Vectors / classification
  • Arachnid Vectors / parasitology
  • Cattle
  • Horses
  • Livestock / parasitology
  • Sheep
  • Theileria / classification
  • Theileria / isolation & purification
  • Theileriasis / epidemiology
  • Theileriasis / parasitology
  • Theileriasis / transmission
  • Tibet / epidemiology
  • Ticks / classification
  • Ticks / parasitology

Grant Funding

  • 2017YFD0500400 / National Key Research and Development Program of China

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