DETECTION OF CUTANEOUS FORM OF BOVINE TROPICALTHEILERIOSIS IN CROSSBRED COWS IN TAMILNADU, INDIA

Bovine theileriosis is one of the most important vector-borne haemoprotozoan diseases and causes huge economic losses in cross-bred animals, particularly in tropical countries like India. The present study describes cutaneous theileriosis in two cross-bred cows presented to a veterinary hospital, VCRI, Namakkal, with a history of fever, anorexia, and reduced milk yield. Clinical examination of animals revealed ocular edema with pale conjunctival mucous membrane, mild enlargement of the prescapular lymph nodes, and numerous skin nodules all over the body. Microscopic examination of the skin nodules revealed the presence of schizonts (Koch's Blue Bodies) in lymphoblasts. Peripheral blood smear examination showed mild parasitaemia in erythrocytes, and further confirmation by PCR using Theileria-specific primers showed the desired 1098bp amplification comparable to positive control. Appropriate treatment led to the recovery of the animals with the total disappearance of the skin lesions.