Identification and Molecular Characterization of
Theileria annulata with
Associated Risk Factors in Naturally Infected Camels from Selected
Districts in Punjab, Pakistan
Faiza Aslam1, Muti ur Rehman1*, Gulbeena
Saleem1, Kamran Ashraf2, Mian Abdul Hafeez2*
and Muhammad Saqib3
1Department
of Pathology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore,
Pakistan
2Department
of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Lahore, Pakistan
3Department
of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences,
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
*Corresponding author:
drniazi@uvas.edu.pk;
abdul.hafeez@uvas.edu.pk
Abstract
Camel production in Pakistan is adversely affected by several pathogenic
infections and insufficient veterinary facilities.
Haemoparasitic diseases
significantly affect health and productivity of camels causing a substantial
financial burden to camel breeders and owners. The present study was designed
for the identification and molecular detection of haemoparasites particularly
piroplasms (Theileria spp. / Babesia spp.) infection in naturally infected local
one-humped camels (Camelus dromedaries)
in Punjab by using parasitological as well as molecular tools like polymerase
chain reaction (PCR) followed by phylogenetic analysis. Blood samples (n=400)
were collected from camels suspected for piroplasms infections in ten districts
of Punjab and processed for blood smears and PCR targeting 18S rRNA gene. The
findings revealed that Theileria is the most common parasite in camels of all
study areas with overall prevalence of 12% and 13.5% by microscopic examination
of GSBS and PCR, respectively. The phylogenetic analyses of the isolates on
sequencing revealed that all analyzed isolates were closely related to
Theileria annulata present in NCBI
from several parts of the world. However, all samples tested for presence of
Babesia spp. were found negative by microscopy and PCR. Chi square based risk
factors analyses exhibited significant (P < 0.05) association between gender,
age, tick infestation, previous tick history and prevalence of Theileria.
In conclusion, current study on haemoparasites is evident for first ever
molecular identification of Theileria
annulata infection in camels of Pakistan along with assessment of potential
risk factors associated with disease. Recent outcomes are ascertaining it as a
silent killer with damaging effects on immune system.
To Cite This Article:
Aslam F, Rehman MU, Saleem G, Ashraf K, Hafeez MA, Saqib M, 2022. Identification
and molecular characterization of
Theileria annulata with associated risk factors in naturally infected camels
from selected districts in punjab, pakistan. Pak Vet J.
http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2022.084