Department of Animal Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Moshtohor-Toukh, Kalyobiya, 13736, Egypt.
Center of Excellence in Biotechnology Research, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
Trop Anim Health Prod. 2022 May 5;54(3):178. doi: 10.1007/s11250-022-03176-w.
Theileria orientalis (T. orientalis) is a benign species of Theileria that is found all throughout the world, including Egypt. The purpose of this work was to determine the current status of T. orientalis infection in cattle, as well as to define T. orientalis genetic diversity using the major piroplasm surface protein (MPSP) genes. In 2020, blood samples from 500 asymptomatic cattle were collected, which live in four different governorates at northern Egypt and examined using PCR assay based on MPSP gene. Overall, 44 blood samples (8.8%, 44/500) were positive for T. orientalis, and the highest prevalence rate was observed in Kafer ElSheikh while it was relatively low in Gharbia governorate. Moreover, based on multivariable analysis, the risk of infection with T. orientalis infection was higher in mixed breed cattle and in animals of age group more than 3 years compared to other. Additionally, absence of acaricide application, infestation with ticks, and communal grazing system were identified as potential risk factors for T. orientalis infection. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolates studied belonged to two MPSP genotypes, types 1 and 2. These findings reveal that the MPSP genotypes discovered in the present work displayed genetic variation that was linked to geographic area. Therefore, further research should be focused on developing an effective T. orientalis monitoring and preventive program.
东方巴贝斯虫（T. orientalis）是一种良性的巴贝斯虫，分布于世界各地，包括埃及。本研究旨在确定埃及北部 4 个不同省份的无症状牛群中东方巴贝斯虫的感染现状，并利用主要血孢子表面蛋白（MPSP）基因来定义东方巴贝斯虫的遗传多样性。2020 年，采集了 500 头无症状牛的血液样本，这些牛生活在埃及北部的四个不同省份，使用基于 MPSP 基因的 PCR 检测方法进行检测。结果显示，共有 44 份（8.8%，44/500）血液样本呈东方巴贝斯虫阳性，其中卡夫尔谢赫省的阳性率最高，而加比亚省的阳性率相对较低。此外，多变量分析显示，与其他品种相比，杂交品种和年龄在 3 岁以上的动物感染东方巴贝斯虫的风险更高。此外，未使用杀螨剂、受蜱虫感染和采用群牧制度被认为是东方巴贝斯虫感染的潜在危险因素。系统进化分析表明，本研究中分离的株属于 MPSP 两种基因型，1 型和 2 型。这些发现表明，本研究中发现的 MPSP 基因型存在与地理区域相关的遗传变异。因此，应进一步研究制定有效的东方巴贝斯虫监测和预防计划。
