A Study on Molecular Diagnosis of Theileria Species Infection by PCR Amplification in Sheep and Goats in Multan, Pakistan

In this present study polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used for identification anddifferentiation of Theileria species infection in Multan, Pakistan. Out of 220 blood samples collected fromsheep and goats, 31.2% (70/220) were found positive for Theileria species by PCR amplification comparedto only 9.1% (20/220) on blood smear. Theileria infection was observed in 39.3% (57/145) of sheep and18.6% (13/75) of goats sampled. The prevalence of Theileria ovis and Theileria lestoquardi in the 70positive samples was found to be 57% (40/70) and 30% (21/70), respectively with only 12.3% (9/70) ofblood samples having a mixed infection of both T. ovis and T. lestoquardi. Overall the prevalence ofT. ovis infection was higher than T. lestoquardi in both sheep and goats. Herds with sheep only hadsignificantly higher parasitic prevalence. The results confirm that PCR is direct, specific and sensitive toolfor diagnosis of ovine theileriosis.