A study on potential factors and physiological biomarkers associated with the occurrence of ovine theileriosis

Theileriosis is an important and endemic blood protozoan disease of sheep in tropical and subtropical areas. The present study was conducted to investigate the various potential factors and physiological biomarkers associated with the occurrence of ovine theileriosis. For this purpose, a total 600 ovine blood samples were taken, each 200 from three geographically distinct districts namely Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Bannu of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan and screened through polymerase chain reaction. Sex, type of infection, tick infestation, body condition, feeding pattern, animal keeping, amount of colostrum served and housing system were considered as significant factors associated with the disease occurrence. Similarly location, breed and season were noticed as significant while age and herd size as non significant factors associated with the disease occurrence. Hematological findings indicated a significant decrease in red blood cells, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, lymphocytes white blood cells and monocytes presenting hemolytic anemia and immunosuppression in affected sheeps. Hence, it is concluded that special attention on tick control in particular seasons, locations, the disease resistant breeds, management (herd size, feeding, housing and keeping etc.) may lessen aggravates of ovine theileriosis.