title: Isolation of Theileria taurotragi and Theileria mutans from cattle in Botswana.
abstract: Two Theileria species demonstrated in peripheral Giemsa-stained blood smears of sick cattle from various parts of Botswana were subsequently identified as Theileria mutans and T. taurotragi using DNA hybridization and the polymerase chain reaction. Initial screening for Theileria species was done using microscopy, the indirect fluorescent antibody technique and the micro Elisa test. The syndrome was characteristically that of high morbidity but low mortality and vague malaise. A low parasitaemia of pleomorphic intra-erythrocytic piroplasms and the absence of schizont stages in circulating lymphocytes and lymph node aspirates were evident. Dual infections were common and often complicated by intercurrent disease conditions.
authors.affiliation: National Veterinary Laboratory, Gaborone, Botswana.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Binta
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Losho
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Allsopp
authors.forename: E Z
authors.initials: EZ
authors.lastname: Mushi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001096:Arachnid Vectors / Q000145:classification; D001902:Botswana / Q000453:epidemiology; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000469:parasitology; D009017:Morbidity; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012621:Seasons; D016794:Theileria / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013801:Theileriasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary; D013987:Ticks / Q000145:classification