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Home / Equine Research Bank / Sci Rep / Molecular Detection of Theileria ovis and Theleiria equi in ...
Scientific reports2019; 9(1); 11557; doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-47965-0

Molecular Detection of Theileria ovis and Theleiria equi in Livestock from Palestine.

Abstract: Theileria and Babesia are intracellular protozoan parasites infecting a wide range of animals. In Palestine, there is limited information on the prevalence of Theileria and Babesia spp. in livestock. We used PCR of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene followed by DNA sequencing to detect and identify parasite DNA in blood samples from sheep (n = 49), goats (n = 48), horses (n = 40), camels (n = 34), donkeys (n = 28) and mules (n = 2) from four districts of Palestine. DNA of T. ovis and T. equi was detected in 19 and 2 ovine blood samples, respectively. None of the camels, donkeys, and goats were positive for T. ovis. Sheep had a significantly higher rate of infection than other animals (P < 0.05). Theileria ovis is highly prevalent in sheep, while T. equi DNA was detected in a small proportion of the equids in Palestine.
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Publication Date: 2019-08-09 PubMed ID: 31399617PubMed Central: PMC6688999DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47965-0Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • Non-P.H.S.

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the prevalence of parasitic infections Theileria and Babesia in livestock in Palestine, particularly in sheep and horses. The study suggests that Theileria ovis is highly prevalent in sheep, while Theileria equi is present in a smaller proportion of horses.

Objective and Method of the Study

  • This research aims to gather information about two specific types of parasitic infections in common livestock in Palestine. The parasites, known as Theileria and Babesia, inhabit host cells and can cause a variety of diseases.
  • To detect these parasites, the researchers employed a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique, targeting the 18S ribosomal RNA gene in the parasite’s DNA sequence. This method allows for accurate detection and identification of parasite DNA in blood samples.
  • The sample pool was a variety of livestock, including sheep, goats, horses, camels, donkeys, and mules, all from different districts in Palestine.

Results and Findings

  • The DNA of T. ovis and T. equi was found in 19 and 2 different sheep blood samples, respectively. This outcome indicates the presence of these parasites in the tested population.
  • None of the camels, donkeys, and goats tested positive for T. ovis, suggesting that this parasite may prefer a sheep host.
  • Statistically, sheep had a much higher rate of infection than the other types of livestock tested (P < 0.05). This result designates sheep as a significant carrier of these infections in Palestine's livestock population.
  • T. ovis is highly prevalent among sheep, whereas horses had a smaller, but noticeable, proportion of T. equi.

Conclusion and Implication

  • The conclusion reached in this study is that T. ovis is significantly present in the sheep population in Palestine, while T. equi occurs in a relatively smaller portion of horses. Neither was found in camels, donkeys, or goats.
  • This information contributes towards understanding the spread and prevalence of these pathogens among livestock in Palestine. It might influence agricultural and veterinary practices such as disease control measures, treatment strategies, and livestock management, to curb the infection rate and minimize disease spread.

Cite This Article

APA
Azmi K, Al-Jawabreh A, Abdeen Z. (2019). Molecular Detection of Theileria ovis and Theleiria equi in Livestock from Palestine. Sci Rep, 9(1), 11557. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-47965-0

Publication

Scientific reports
ISSN: 2045-2322
NlmUniqueID: 101563288
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
Pages: 11557
PII: 11557

Researcher Affiliations

Azmi, Kifaya
  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds University, Abu Deis, The West Bank, Palestine. kifaya_alkam@yahoo.com.
  • Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds Nutrition and Health Research Institute, Al-Quds University, Abu-Deis, P.O. Box 20760, The West Bank, Palestine. kifaya_alkam@yahoo.com.
  • Al-Quds Public Health Society, Jerusalem, Palestine. kifaya_alkam@yahoo.com.
Al-Jawabreh, Amer
  • Al-Quds Public Health Society, Jerusalem, Palestine.
  • Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Arab American University, Janin, Palestine.
Abdeen, Ziad
  • Faculty of Medicine, Al-Quds Nutrition and Health Research Institute, Al-Quds University, Abu-Deis, P.O. Box 20760, The West Bank, Palestine.
  • Al-Quds Public Health Society, Jerusalem, Palestine.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Camelus / blood
  • Camelus / parasitology
  • Cattle / blood
  • Cattle / parasitology
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • Equidae / blood
  • Equidae / parasitology
  • Female
  • Goats / blood
  • Goats / parasitology
  • Horses / blood
  • Horses / parasitology
  • Livestock / blood
  • Livestock / parasitology
  • Male
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics
  • Sheep / blood
  • Sheep / parasitology
  • Sheep Diseases / blood
  • Sheep Diseases / diagnosis
  • Sheep Diseases / epidemiology
  • Theileria / genetics
  • Theileria / isolation & purification
  • Theileriasis / blood
  • Theileriasis / diagnosis
  • Theileriasis / epidemiology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 9 times.
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