Epidemiological Survey of Theileria Parasite Infection of Cattle in Northeast China by Allele-Specific PCR

摘要

An epidemiological survey on a Theileria parasite infection of cattle in Northeast China was carried out using allele-specificPCR and DNA sequence analysis of the major piroplasm surface protein (MPSP) gene. The results showed that 14 of 104 blood sampleswere positive for Theileria by PCR. Among the positive cases, co-infection with various combinations of C- and I-type parasites wasdetected in 12 samples; no B- and Thai-type parasites were detected by allele-specific PCR. Phylogenetic analysis based on the MPSPgene sequences revealed that Theileria parasites with the MPSP types 1, 2, and 4 were distributed in Northeast China.