The potential of heat shock response in the treatment of theileriosis in cattle: Review

Theileriosis, in particular East Coast Fever, remains to be a challenge to herdsmen in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa. Its treatment cost is unbearable to majority of rural poor keepers who have subsequently opted for alternatives. Some herdsmen have developed a practice of heat application to parotid and prescapular lymph nodes of cattle with theileriosis to treat the disorder. The approach has been beneficial from time immemorial. Although the actual mechanism of this approach remains enigmatic, it might be linked with the protective role of heat shock response observed in several conditions. This prompts for closer look into the possible protective mechanisms of heat shock response against theileriosis. By gaining insight into how the heat shock response protects hosts against infections and its potential to protect cattle against theileriosis, therapeutic approaches to combat theileriosis could be improved. This work therefore, explores the cellular events triggered by Theileria parasite in the host cell as well as the possible sites at which heat shock response interferes to prevent establishment of the parasite and development of clinical theileriosis. It is concluded that the heat shock response is beneficial to animals against theileriosis. This concept can serve as a prelude to new therapeutic approaches against theileriosis. Keywords : Theileriosis, T. parva, NF-κB, Hsps, apoptosis Tanzania Vet Journal Vol. 25 (2) 2008: pp. 75-87