Investigation of Ovine Theileriosis in Animal Production Research Stations (APRS) in the Sudan

Abstract

A cross sectional study was conducted in May (summer) and December (winter) 2016 to investigate the prevalence of ovine theileriosis and its association with the presence of the vector (ticks) in Elhuda and Elnuhud research stations in the Sudan. A total of 400 blood samples were collected, 200 samples from each station and age, sex, ecotype and body condition score of these animals were recorded. In Elhuda station, the positive results of microscopic examination for Theieria spp were 15.3% (31 out of 202) while in Elnuhud were 11.6% (23 out of 198) with an overall prevalence 13.4%. Fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) showed that, 27.7% of samples (56 out of 202) and 16.2% of samples (32 out of 198) were positive for Theileria lestoquardi antibodies in Elhuda and Elnuhud respectively, with an overall prevalence 22.0%. The main prevalent Ticks in Elhuda were Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi and Hyalomma anatolicum while in Elnuhud in addition to these two species H. dromedarii and H. impeltatum. Were present the results showed significant association between T. lestoquardi infection and following factors under significant level of P-value ≤ 0.005; including ecotype (p-value = 0.005), Body Condition Score (p-value =0.003), Month (p-value =0.000) and location (P-value = 0.005).