Persistence And Diversity Of Theileria Parva In East Coast Fever Vaccinated And Unvaccinated Cattle

ABSTRACT

Infection and Treatment Method (ITM) has been practiced in Tanzania for over 20 years now as a prevention method against East Coast Fever (ECF). However, there is less information regarding the persistence of the Theileria parva parasites after a long-time lapse after vaccination. Likewise, the implication of the potential exchange of genetic information is largely unknown as regards ECF vaccination outcomes. A total number of 336 cattle samples were collected from Loiborsoit, Emboret, Esilalei, Manyara ranch, Mswakini, Tanga Mruazi farm and Tanga Leila farm in March of 2018. Samples were then screened for Theileria parva using nested PCR and the overall prevalence of carrier state was 34.5%, with a significant higher prevalence among the vaccinated cattle group 43% (103/239) compared to the unvaccinated group 13.4% (13/97) (p