The distribution and prevalence of Theileria buffeli in cattle in Queensland

Abstract

SUMMARY The distribution and prevalence of Theileria buffeli in Queensland cattle were investigated using serum samples and blood films collected primarily for brucellosis surveillance and tick fever diagnosis. Serums from 8654 cattle from 357 farms throughout Queensland were examined by an indirect fluorescent antibody test for antibody to T buffeli. In addition, 347 peripheral blood films collected from 147 farms in south‐eastern Queensland were examined for plroplasms of T buffeli. The overall herd and animal prevalences for T buffeli were 75% and 41%, respectively. There was significant variation among regions in both herd and animal prevalences (P <0.001). Herd and animal prevalences were highest in the north and east decreasing westward. The results indicate that T buffeli is more widespread in Queensland than previously thought.

A survey to determine the prevalence of Theileria spp. in beef cattle in the northern tablelands of New South Wales

“…Our study recorded a herd prevalence of 72% and individual animal prevalence of 22%, which can be compared with the Queensland study that reported overall prevalence estimates of 74.8% and 40.9%, respectively. A study commissioned by Meat and Livestock Australia in 2010 undertook PCR testing of cattle herds across Queensland, NSW and Victoria .…”

“…It is generally believed that the distribution and prevalence of Theileria spp. is greater in Queensland than elsewhere in Australia . In the study done by Stewart et al, serological investigation was undertaken on cattle from throughout Queensland via samples collected at abattoirs for brucellosis surveillance .…”

Tick-borne blood parasites in nyala (Tragelaphus angasii, Gray 1849) from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

“…The T. buffeli group consists of mainly benign bovine parasites that are common in cattle worldwide, with prevalences ranging from 30% to nearly 100% (Stewart et al 1992;Georges et al 2001;Cossio-Bayugar et al 2002;Garcia-Sanmartin et al 2006;Salih et al 2007;Altay et al 2008). It was found in 23 of 24 African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) tested in the Kruger National Park, South Africa (Allsopp et al 1999).…”

Emergence of new types of Theileria orientalis in Australian cattle and possible cause of theileriosis outbreaks

“…In a survey in one region of New South Wales (NSW), 60% of cattle were positive on blood smears [1] while cattle in endemic parts of Queensland (QLD) showed herd and animal seroprevalences of 75% and 41% respectively [2]. Infection is usually non-pathogenic but it was recognized more than 40 years ago that under certain, undefined conditions, the organism may become highly virulent [1].…”