2011 Volume 21 Issue 1 Pages 14-19
A molecular epidemiological survey on Theileria orientalis was conducted in a cattle population of Fujian province in China. The screening polymerase chain reaction assay showed that 23 (45%) of 51 blood samples were positive for T. orientalis. DNA sequencing of the major piroplasm surface antigen-encoding gene indicated the presence of 3 different genotypes in the study area(types 1，2，and 5) and identified T. orientalis types 1 and 2 as the major genotypes in the sample population. Because type 2 (Ikeda type in Japan) has been recognized as a relatively virulent genotype of T. orientalis，control and preventive measures to minimize the incidence of infectious diseases among cattle bred in China are necessary.
