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First report of Ikeda genotype of Theileria orientalis in Mithun (Bos frontalis) from northeastern hilly region of India

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Abstract

Oriental theileriosis caused by Theileria orientalis, previously considered a benign disease, is posing a significant threat to the livestock industry across the globe. To elucidate the prevalence of Theileria orientalis in ticks and their host, the Mithun, a comprehensive study was undertaken in the two northeastern states of India, viz. Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. A total of 340 of Rhipicephalus microplus ticks and 25 Ambylomma sp. ticks were screened for the presence of Theileria orientalis through PCR. Among the R. microplus ticks examined, 25 of them tested positive for T. orientalis infection whereas none of the Amblyomma ticks was positive. Additionally, a total of 275 blood samples were collected from Mithun from Arunachal and Nagaland and 31 animals were found to be positive for T. orientalis infection. Notably, six positive cases were identified in Porba (Phek district), six in Tening, and one in Bamsiakilwa village (Peren district) of Nagaland. Moreover, out of the 41 animals examined at Medziphema farms, Nagaland, 18 were found to be positive for T. orientalis infection. Moreover, the phylogenetic investigation has unveiled the presence of the highly pathogenic Type 2 (Ikeda) T. orientalis genotype in Mithun, supported by a strong bootstrap value of 100%. This study marks the initial documentation of oriental theileriosis in mithun. It underscores the need for vigilant monitoring and active surveillance of mithun populations in the northeastern states of India. Timely treatment of infected animals is imperative to avert economic losses for the farmers.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors were thankful to the Director, ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun for providing facilities and help during the period of study.

Funding

ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun, Medziphema, Nagaland.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ICAR-NRC On Mithun, Medziphema, Nagaland, 797106, India

    Jayanta Kumar Chamuah, Lipenthung Ezung, Livika Awomi, Imnatemjen Aier, Harshit Kumar, Plabita Goswami, Hlawndo Lalzampuia, Kobu Khate, Kezhavituo Vupru, Sapunii Stephen Hanah & Girish Patil Shivanagowda

  2. ICAR-National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Investigation, Bangalore, India

    Siju Susan Jacob

  3. ICAR-Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Dipamur, India

    Mahak Singh

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  1. Jayanta Kumar Chamuah
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  2. Siju Susan Jacob
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  3. Lipenthung Ezung
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  4. Livika Awomi
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Contributions

J.K Chamuah as a PI of the project has done entire experiment along with writing of manuscript. Dr. S. S Jacob, Dr. Harshit Kumar, Dr. P Goswami and Dr. Girish Patil S has reviewed and edited the manuscript and also did analysis of the experiment. The other authors were helping in the collection of sample for entire experiment.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jayanta Kumar Chamuah.

Ethics declarations

Ethical approval

The project was approved as Institute project by Institute Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC) of ICAR-NRC on Mithun, Nagaland (IAEC Approval No. NRCM/IAEC/2020 (02)/20).

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Not applicable.

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We declare that all authors have read and approved the manuscript for submission to Parasitology Research.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Handling Editor: Una Ryan

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Chamuah, J.K., Jacob, S.S., Ezung, L. et al. First report of Ikeda genotype of Theileria orientalis in Mithun (Bos frontalis) from northeastern hilly region of India. Parasitol Res 123, 36 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-023-08047-3

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