Molecular Evidence on Theileria annulata Infection and Ixodid Ticks Infestation in the Cattle of Kurdistan Province, West of Iran

Background: Bovine theileriosis is an important disease in Iran and throughout the world with economic losses in Iranian cattle husbandry. The aim of the current study was to determine prevalence and geographic distribution of Theileria annulata infection in cattle and ixodid ticks species diversity in Kurdistan Province, West of Iran. Methods: A total number of 193 blood samples were randomly taken from jugular vein. Ixodid ticks were also collected from body surface of examined cattle in three sub-areas of the region, i.e. north, center and south. The genomic DNA was extracted and PCR was performed to amplify a 721-bp-long fragment of the 30 Kilo Dalton major merozoite surface antigen of T. annulata. Results: The overall prevalence was 50.2% (97/193) with lymphadenopathy (54.4%) and petechia in mucosal membrane (95%) of cross-breed cattle (24.9%) aged <3 year in north part of the region (82%). Of all cattle infected with T. annulata, 9.3% (18/193) were infested with a total of 147 unfed ixodid ticks. The ixodid ticks indices was 8.17. Eight species of ixodid ticks of two genus, i.e. Hyalomma (52.9%) and Rhipicephalus (23.3%) were identified. The predominant infesting tick in all examined cattle was R. sanguineus (12%, 23/193) in south area of the region. Conclusions: The results revealed that T. annulata infection was prevalent and ixodid ticks abundance, geographic distribution and the variety of species were wide in this part of Iran.