Theileriosis
(Mediterranean coast fever)
It is a tick borne disease of cattle and is characterized by:
fever
enlargement of peripheral lymph nodes
wasting
progressive anemia
jaundice and
hemoglobinuria.
Etiology
Vector
Epidemiology
The disease mainly occurs in Asia and Africa
including Bangladesh.
Cattle are the most susceptible and buffaloes
may also act as carriers.
Exotic cross breed cattle may be affected in any
ages.
Indigenous breed of adult cattle do not
clinically affected but they may act as a carrier.
Sporadically the disease may occur in any
season but occurs mainly during the summer.
In enzootic areas, the case fatality is about 10-
20% and is confined during the summer.
Incase of exotic animals, enzootic areas will have
the mortalities of 40-80%.
Clinical findings
Swelling of the draininglymph node, usually
the parotid.
Generalized lymphadenopathy.
Fever 40 – 41o C
A young calf affected with A young calf affected with
lymphadenitis of the right lymphadenitis of the left
parotid lymph nodes. parotid lymph nodes.
Poor condition and severe lymphadenopathy in
heifer
Lacrimation and corneal opacity
Dyspn
ea
Diarrho
ea
In case of Equine theileriosis there is fever,
anaemia, jaundice and haemoglobinuria.
Jaundice in a horse’s
eye
Terminally, there may be a frothy nasal
discharges.
In cerebral form, there is circling, convulsions,
tremor, muscle spasm, abnormal gait and
pressing of the head to any fixed object.
'turning sickness' or cerebral theileriosis due to the
presence of schizont in the cerebral capillaries .
Splenic enlargement.
Severe pulmonary emphysema and edema along with
hydrothorax and hydropericardium.
Generalized lymphoid hyperplasia.
Small lymphoid nodules (the so-called pseudo-infarcts)
are present in liver, kidney, and alimentary tract.
The carcass is emaciated and hemorrhages are evident in a
variety of tissues and organs.
Pulmonary emphysema and edema The Ln. is enlarged and diffusely
pale, and
contains numerous petechiae.
Multiple pale foci on the
cortical surface of the
kidney are lymphoid
infiltrates.
Emaciated Carcass
Kidney, There are multiple
petechiae on the surface of the
Hydropericardium cortex. The lymph node near the
Diagnosis
A presumptive diagnosis can be made on-
History to the occurrence to disease in exotic
and crossbred cattle which infected with tick.
Characteristics clinical findings of fever,
lymphnodes enlargement, anaemia and
haemoglobinuria.
● A definitive diagnosis can be made on-
In sick animals, macroschizonts are
readily detected in biopsy smears of
lymph nodes and in dead animals in
impression smears of lymph nodes and
spleen.
● A definitive diagnosis can be made on-
In the field, diagnosis is usually achieved by
finding Theileria parasites in Giemsa-stained blood
smears and lymph node needle biopsy smears
● Necropsy findings: There is enlargement of liver,
spleen, lymphnodes and ulceration of the abomasum
and intestines. Small lymphoid nodules are present in
the liver, kidney and alimentary tract.
● Serology: CFT, ELISA etc.
Theileria
Piroplasmosis
Lymphoblasts
containing
Theileria parasites
*Transstadial transmission occurs from stage to stage (larvae–nymphs, nymphs–adults
and larvae–adults)
Treatment
There is no cheap and satisfactory treatment for the disease.
The following any one of the drug may be used for treatment of
the disease.
Oxytetracycline HCl→ 5-10 mg/kg body weight IV or IM
daily for 5 days plus Berenil 12-15 mg/kg bwt daily IM for 3
days.
Halofuginone lactate → 1.2 gm/kg bwt with 100 ml water
orally 2 days one day interval.
● Parvaquone → 10 mg/kg bwt two doses 48 hrs interval IM.
Buparvaquone → 2.5 mg/kg bwt two doses 48 hours interval
IM.
● Butalex → 1 ml/20 kg body weight IM single injection.
● Supporive treatment includes-
♦ antihistaminics IM injection
♦ Blood transfusion @2-4litre/cow
♦ Hematinic mixture/injection
