Prevalence of Theileria Parva in Large Ruminants through Conventional and Molecular Techniques in District Lakki Marwat and Peshawar (Pakistan)

During the present study two animal species (cattle and buffalo) were selected. A total of 800 samples were collected from different areas of District Lakki Marwat and District Peshawar. All the samples were processed through different diagnostic techniques, including Microscopy, ELISA and Real-time PCR for diagnosis of Theileria parva at Veterinary Research Institute Peshawar. The overall prevalence for Theileriosis was 27.75% through Real-time PCR, followed by Indirect ELISA (24.62%) and Microscopy (11.37%). Transect wise high prevalence for Theileria parva was observed in Lakki Marwat with 33.5% for Real-time PCR, significantly different at P 0.05 from Peshawar. Cattle showed 100% more positive results as compared to Buffalo. All the techniques showed highest prevalence of Theileria parva for female population as compared to male population. Age wise prevalence was not significantly different for both the species. Prevalence was high in animals 1-year age. It was found that PCR is more sensitive and specific diagnostic tool for diagnosis of Theileria parva.