Use of multiplexed tandem PCR to estimate the prevalence and intensity of Theileria orientalis infections in cattle.
This study employed a semi-quantitative, multiplexed tandem PCR (MT-PCR) to assess the prevalence and infection intensity of four genotypes (buffeli, chitose, ikeda and type 5) of Theileria orientalis in cattle in Australia. Genomic DNA samples from blood samples (n=448) collected from 27 to 32 dairy cows from each of 15 dairy herds with a history of recent theileriosis outbreaks (Group 1), and from blood samples available from 24 cows with or without oriental theileriosis (Group 2) were tested using MT-PCR. Results revealed that all four genotypes were present in Group 1 cattle; genotype buffeli had the highest prevalence (80.5%), followed by genotypes ikeda (71.4%), chitose (38.6%) and type 5 (20.3%). Genotype ikeda had the highest average infection intensity in the cattle (relating to 55,277 DNA copies), followed by buffeli, chitose and type 5 (6354-51,648 copies). For Group 2, results indicated that genotype ikeda had a significantly higher average intensity of infection than buffeli in symptomatic cattle (P<0.001), and symptomatic cattle had a higher intensity of ikeda than asymptomatic cattle (P=0.004). Future studies should assess the utility of the present MT-PCR assay as a diagnostic and epidemiological tool in other parts of Australasia and the world.
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Piyumali K
PK
Perera
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Robin B
RB
Gasser
Department of Agricultural Sciences, Centre for AgriBioscience, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.
Elizabeth
E
Read
Maffra Veterinary Centre, Maffra, Victoria, Australia.
Jakob
J
Malmo
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Hanh
H
Nguyen
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Simon
S
Nyein
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Allan
A
Cheng
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Aaron R
AR
Jex
Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Victoria, Australia.
Grant
G
Rawlin
Department of Agricultural Sciences, Centre for AgriBioscience, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.
Terence W
TW
Spithill
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: jabbara@unimelb.edu.au.
Abdul
A
Jabbar
D000818:Animals; D058345:Asymptomatic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D002417:Cattle / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016794:Theileria / Q000235:genetics; D013801:Theileriasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology
Genotypes; Intensity of infection; Multiplexed tandem PCR; Prevalence; Theileria orientalis