Molecular prevalence of Theileria in sheep in Jilin province, China

抄録

The aim of this study was to enhance our understanding of ovine theileriosis and its timely prevention in sheep. We therefore conducted an epidemiological study in four areas in Jilin province, China. We extracted DNA from 95 blood samples from sheep and analyzed them by nested polymerase chain reaction targeting the 18S RNA gene of ovine Theileria spp. Positive samples were further analyzed by PCR using species-specific primer sets for T. luwenshuni, T. uilenbergi, and T. ovis, respectively, to detect and differentiate among these three Theileria spp. Phylogenetic analysis of positive samples based on 18S rRNA gene sequences of Theileria spp. was also conducted. Theileria spp. was prevalent in all four investigated areas, with a positivity rate of 18.9%. T. luwenshuni was universally prevalent with a positivity rate of 11.6%, whereas no T. uilenbergi or T. ovis infections were detected in these regions. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the positive samples in all four regions belonged to the T. luwenshuni cluster. This survey confirmed the epidemiology of ovine theileriosis and provided important data to support the prevention and control of this epidemic disease in northeastern China.