Tams 1 based PCR assay for detection of theileriosis in indigenous calves from semi-arid regions of India

Lower parasitemia often skips the conventional microscopic and serological techniques from detecting latent, cryptic and/or chronic carrier states of bovine tropical theileriosis (BTT). Hence the molecular detection of the parasitic DNA remains a highly authenticated tool. Oligonucleotide primers (TBR F/R) were custom designed and used for PCR amplification of T. annulata. The sensitivity and specificity of PCR was compared with blood microscopy based on kappa value predictions. A total of 8 samples were found positive by blood smear examination whereas PCR detected 12 infections. Blood smear examination was kept as a gold standard for detecting actual number of confirmed positive cases, for being 100% sensitive along with 93.65% specific, respectively, in detecting calf theileriosis. The described PCR-based assay provides a valuable tool to study the epidemiology of BTT in calves and some vital data regarding epidemiology of theileriosis in calves from semi-arid parts of India has been generated. Such a record for screening of calves for theileriosis is missing from Indian context.