• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.107-115
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• 2011

Theileria (T.) buffeli (formerly T. sergenti/T. orientalis) is the major hemo-protozoan distributed in the Far East Asian countries such as Korea, China and Japan. It is responsible for the clinical symptoms of anorexia, ateliosis, anemia, fever and icterus. It also causes abortion and sudden death under severe cases, resulting in economic losses for many livestock farms. The objective of this study was to analyze the genetic diversity of the major surface protein (Msp) gene in T. buffeli in Holstein in Korea, and we characterized the association of the diversification of the Msp gene and its relationship with the pathogenicity of Theileria. For this, complete blood counts and Theileria PCR sequence analysis were performed from 57 Holstein in Jeju Island. A total of 26 PCR positive Holstein (16 anemic and 10 non-anemic) were then randomly selected based on 18s rRNA sequence typing of the Theileria Msp gene. The DNA sequence of the T. buffeli Msp gene in Holstein showed 99.0%, 99.2%, 99.9%, 99.5%, 98.7%, 98.4% and 98.4% homology with T. sergenti, Theileria spp., T. sergenti, Theileria spp., Theileria spp., Theileria spp. and Theileria spp., respectively. The result showed a genetic variation of 57.7% (type I), 3.8% (type II), 15.4% (type III), 7.7% (type IV), 13.5% (type V) and 1.9% (type VI). Type I is the most frequent type in both anemic and non-anemic Holstein while type II was found in only non-anemic Holstein. This results of our study help confirm the diversity of Msp gene types and demonstrate that the gene type distribution of Msp genes varies among Theileria-infected Holstein in Jeju Island.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.33.1-33.5
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• 2021

This study reports the detection and genotyping of the first clinical case of bovine anemia due to Theileria orientalis group (BATOG) in non-grazed dairy cow in upper South Korea. Blood and serum tests revealed anemia and hyperbilirubinemia from animal showing clinical symptoms, and later confirmed as piroplasmosis-positive. Follow-up surveillance on the herd revealed 2 asymptomatic cows with anemia. The three animals were confirmed theileriosis-positive and genotyping revealed the clinical and one of the asymptomatic cases have Chitose, while the other has Ikeda genotype. Clinical BATOG cases were rarely reported worldwide, and asymptomatic animals left untreated could serve as parasite reservoir.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.64-74
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• 2024

This pilot study aimed to investigate the effects of regional and seasonal variations on the prevalence of Theileria orientalis and the hematological profile of non-grazed dairy cows in Korea. A total of 365 clinically healthy lactating Holstein Friesian cows from 26 dairy farms in 7 provinces that were categorized into northern, central, and southern regions were sampled during the warm period from July to August and the cold period from October to December. The detection of T. orientalis major piroplasm surface protein gene and the hematology non-grazed dairy cows were analyzed using peripheral blood samples. The T. orientalis prevalence was 20.0% (73/365). The prevalence in the southern region was 35.9%, which was significantly higher than that in the central (21.6%) and northern (12.9%) regions (P<0.05). The prevalence during warm period was higher (43.0%) than that during the cold season (13.5%). The infected cows showed significantly lower erythrocyte counts in the southern region (5.8±0.6 M/㎕) and during the warm period (5.8±0.7 M/㎕) compared with those in the central and northern regions and during the cold season, which affected the extended RBC parameters, including hematocrit and hemoglobin concentrations. Our findings revealed the prevalence of T. orientalis in Korea, highlighting its high occurrence during warm periods and in certain geographical regions. Climatic factors could contribute to the health and productivity of cattle, as evidenced by the prevalence of T. orientalis and its negative impact on animals.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.846-849
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• 2018

A group of benign Theileria species, which are often referred to as T. orientalis/T. buffeli/T. sergenti group, has low pathogenicity in cattle. Herein, we report on Theileria spp. in cattle on a farm from China. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the major piroplasm surface protein gene sequences, we detected 6 genotypes that were categorized as Types 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 as well as an additional Type 9 genotype. The new epidemiological features of the T. orientalis/T. buffeli/T. sergenti parasites in China indicate a greater diversity in the genetics of these species than had been previously thought.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.481-489
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• 2017

Tick-borne pathogens can cause serious problems in grazing cattle. However, little information is available on tick-mediated diseases in cattle grazing on mountains. Thus, this study aimed to understand the potential problems related to tick-borne diseases in grazing cattle through the investigation of prevalent tick-transmitted infections, and their associated hematological changes, in terms of season and grazing type in Korean indigenous cattle (=Hanwoo). Hanwoo cattle from 3 regions of the Republic of Korea (=Korea) were either maintained indoors or placed on grassy mountains from spring to fall of 2014 and 2015. Cattle that grazed in mountainous areas showed a greater prevalence of tick-borne infections with an increased Theileria orientalis infection rate (54.7%) compared to that in non-grazing cattle (16.3%) (P<0.001). Accordingly, the red blood cell (RBC) count and hematocrit (HCT) values of grazing cattle were significantly lower than those of non-grazing cattle throughout the season (P<0.05). Moreover, RBC, hemoglobin (Hb), and HCT of T. orientalis-positive group were significantly lower than those of T. orientalis-negative group (P<0.05). T. orientalis is a widespread tick-borne pathogen in Korea. Grazing of cattle in mountainous areas is closely associated with an increase in T. orientalis infection (RR=3.4, P<0.001), and with consequent decreases in RBC count and HCT. Thus, these findings suggest that the Hanwoo cattle in mountainous areas of Korea are at a high risk of infection by T. orientalis, which can lead to hematological alterations. This study highlights the necessity of preventive strategies that target T. orientalis infection.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.501-507
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• 2010

The aim of the current study was to analyze the diversity of the major surface protein (Msp) gene in Theileria buffeli, which is known as the major antigenic protein recognized by the immune system of the host. In addition, we characterized the diversification of the Msp gene and its relationship to with the pathogenicity of Theileria. Complete blood counts (CBC) and Theileria 18S rRNA PCR sequence analysis were performed for 177 Korean indigenous cattle (KIC) in Jeju Island. A total of 28 KIC (16 anemic and 12 non-anemic KIC) were then randomly selected based on 18s rRNA PCR positive samples for sequence analysis of the Theileria Msp gene, which was performed twice for each specimen. The resulting 56 Msp gene sequences were classified into five antigenicity types (type I to V), according to the variable region (517-571 bp), which exhibited high similarity (${\geq}$ 98.9%) to several available GenBank sequences (Theileria spp. from China-EU584237; T. sergenti from China-DQ078264; Theileria spp. from Thailand-AB081329; Theileria spp. from Japan-AB218442; T. sergenti from Japan-AB016280). The 56 Msp sequences consisted of 22, 15, 9, 8, and 2 cases of type I to type V Msp genes, respectively. The most prevalent type in both anemic and non-anemic KIC was type I (37.5% in anemic and 41.7% in non-anemic). Among the remaining types, type II was the most prevalent (37.5%) in anemic KIC, while type IV was the most prevalent (25%) in non-anemic KIC. The results of our study help confirm the diversity of Msp gene types and demonstrate that the gene type distribution of Msp genes varies among Theileria-infected KIC in Jeju Island.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2006

Ticks cause economic losses to the deer industry by decreasing the growth and production of the farmed animals. The mediation of ticks affects humans and animals by causing contagious disease both directly and indirectly. Blood from farmed deer from the areas near Jangsu branch was collected for screening of infectious protozoa and rickettsial disease. Seventy deer blood samples were collected from 30 different deer farms located in Jinan, Jangsu and Muju. This blood samples were used for blood slide smear examination and hematological analysis. DNA from these samples was extracted and was used for PCR analysis for detection of gene fragments of Theileria spp, Babesia spp, Anaplasma spp and Ehrlichia spp. In the blood slide smear examination and PCR analysis all samples did not show presence of protozoal and rickettsial diseases. Eight blood samples showed anemia, 1 sample showed iron deficiency and 7 samples showed regenerative anemia. Results for PCR analysis showed 2 samples were positive for T orientalis. All DNA samples were negative for Babesia spp, Anaplasma spp, and Ehrlichia spp.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.4.1-4.6
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• 2021

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is caused by Babesia caballi and Theileria equi infection. We investigated antigen and antibody of EP in horses in the Republic of Korea during 2016-2017. Antigen and antibody of T. equi was detected 0.06% (1/1,650). Phylogenetic analysis of 18S rRNA revealed that the T. equi was highly homologous with the strains from China, Mongolia, and Spain. Two Theileria spp. were also detected and highly homologous with T. buffeli, T. luwenshuni, and T. orientalis.