Molecular Epidemiological Survey of Theileria orientalis in Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam

Abstract

Theileria orientalis is a benign bovine protozoan species that occasionally causes serious economic loss in the livestock industry. We report the findings of a molecular epidemiological survey of T. orientalis in Vietnamese yellow cattle, water buffaloes, sheep, goats, and blood-sucking ticks of cattle in the Thua Thien Hue province of Vietnam. The major piroplasm surface protein (MPSP) gene of T. orientalis was detected using polymerase chain reaction in 13 cattle (13.8%), 11 water buffaloes (25.6%), 1 sheep (4.8%), and 9 ticks (10.6%). Phylogenetic analysis using MPSP gene sequences identified four previously categorized genotypes (Types 1, 3, 5, and 7) and three new genotypes (Types N-1, N-2, and N-3). At least seven genotypes of T. orientalis are present in Vietnam.