Molecular diversity of theileria parva in Kilosa District, Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2013
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
Theileria parva is an apicomplexan protozoan parasite causing East Coast fever in Eastern
and Central Africa. A study was conducted between February and May 2012 in six
villages in Kilosa district in Tanzania to determine the diversity of the T. parva parasite
circulating in the district. Also data of the disease cases reported to Veterinary
investigation centres (VIC’s) and compiled by the Ministry of Livestock Development
and Fisheries, were analyzed to gain insight into the current status of ECF in Tanzania. To
determine the diversity, convectional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to
amplify antigenic genes coding for sporozoite surface protein (p67) using DNA extracted
from cattle blood samples naturally infected with T. parva and T. parva isolated from
ticks. A total of 100 cattle blood and 95 tick samples were collected. PCR products
(banding Patten) were analyzed to characterize T. parva parasite that occur in cattle and
ticks. Analysis of the PCR products suggested the existence of two groups of T. parva
parasites with band sizes 800 and 900 bp respectively. This study has found that there is
T. parva allele in Kilosa that is not in the imported ECF trivalent vaccine (“Muguga
cocktail’’) currently in use. Three year records (2008-2010) of the disease indicate lower
prevalence of ECF compared to prevalence reported by other previous studies. The low
prevalence observed in this study suggests that reports from Vic’s cannot give good
estimates of ECF prevalence due to under reporting, poor diagnosis, poor records keeping
and others in the field. It was recommended that more research has to be conducted so as
to establish the complete list of parasite circulating in Kilosa district and the region.
Description
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of requirements for the degree of master of science in
molecular biology and biotechnology
Keywords
Molecular diversity, Theileria parva, Kilosa District, Tanzania