Evaluation of PCR to detect Theileria parva in field-collected tick and bovine samples in Tanzania

Ogden, N.H., Gwakisa, P., Swai, E., French, N.P., Fitzpatrick, J., Kambarage, D. and Bryant, M. (2003) Evaluation of PCR to detect Theileria parva in field-collected tick and bovine samples in Tanzania. Veterinary Parasitology, 112(3), pp. 177-183. (doi: 10.1016/S0304-4017(02)00448-X)

Abstract

The ability of PCR to detect infections of Theileria parva, the cause of East Coast Fever, in field-collected tick and bovine samples from Tanzania was evaluated. PCR-detected infection prevalence was high (15/20, 75%) in unfed adult Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks that fed as nymphs on an acutely-infected calf, but low (22/836, 2.6%) in unfed adult R. appendiculatus collected from field sites in Tanzania. Tick infection prevalence was comparable to that in previous studies that used salivary gland staining to detect T. parva infection in field-collected host-seeking ticks. Of 282 naturally-exposed zebu calves, seven had PCR-positive buffy coat samples prior to detection of Theileria spp. parasites in stained buffy coat cells or lymph node biopsies. Evidence of Theileria spp. infections was detected in stained smears of lymph node biopsies from 109 calves (38.6%) and buffy coat samples from 81 (28.7%), while buffy coat samples from 66 (23.4%) were PCR-positive for T. parva. Implications of these findings for the sensitivity and specificity of the PCR are discussed.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Fitzpatrick, Prof Julie
• Authors: Ogden, N.H., Gwakisa, P., Swai, E., French, N.P., Fitzpatrick, J., Kambarage, D., and Bryant, M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
• Journal Name: Veterinary Parasitology