Indian Journal of Animal Research

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Indian Journal of Animal Research, volume 53 issue 3 (march 2019) : 375-381

Clinical and Morpho-Molecular epidemiology of bovine theileriosis in Kashmir, India

U. Farooq, N.A. Tufani, H.U. Malik, M.S. Mir
1Clinical Veterinary Medicine Ethics and Jurisprudence, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, Srinagar-190 006, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Cite article:- Farooq U., Tufani N.A., Malik H.U., Mir M.S. (2018). Clinical and Morpho-Molecular epidemiology of bovine theileriosis in Kashmir, India. Indian Journal of Animal Research. 53(3): 375-381. doi: 10.18805/ijar.B-3512.
Total 1683 cattle were screened for Theileria infections for one calendar year. The overall incidence was 4.34%. It was highest in summer (7.57%), followed by autumn (3.51%). Cattle above 2 years of age (6.19%) particularly Holstein Friesian Cross (5.81%), followed by Jersey Cross (2.77%) were highly infected. Female (4.49%) were mostly affected as compared to male (3.14%). Affected animals showed persistent high fever, tachycardia, tachypnea and reduced ruminal motility. Other important clinical signs were emaciation, swelling of pre-scapular lymph nodes, inappetence, pale mucous membranes or congested mucous membranes, occulo-nasal discharge, corneal opacity, presence of ticks, salivation, coughing and decreased milk production. The diagnostic efficacy of PCR was highest (100%, 73/73), followed by peripheral blood smears examination (93.15%, 68/73) and lymph node biopsy (49.31%, 36/73). There is a consistent increase in the incidence of bovine theileriosis which may be due climate change and import of carrier animals from the neighbouring states. 
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