Theileria annulata surface protein (TaSP) is a target of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 phosphorylation in Theileria annulata-infected cells.

Leucoproliferative Theileria parasites possess the unique capability to transform their bovine host cell, resulting in tumour-like characteristics like uncontrolled proliferation. The molecular mechanisms underlying this parasite-dependent process are only poorly understood. In the current study, bioinformatic analysis of the Theileria annulata surface protein (TaSP) from different T.

Assessment of the prevalence of Theileria lestoquardi in sheep from the Sudan using serological and molecular methods.

Malignant theileriosis of sheep and goats caused by Theileria lestoquardi is considered to be among the most important tick borne diseases in the Sudan. Information on the prevalence of the disease in different parts of the Sudan is limited. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of the disease in five states of the Sudan using molecular and serological assays.

The Emergence of Theileria parva in Jonglei State, South Sudan: Confirmation Using Molecular and Serological Diagnostic Tools.

A cross-sectional survey was carried out in four counties of Jonglei State, South Sudan, between May and June 2012 to determine the distribution and northern limit of Theileria parva, the causative agent of East Coast fever in cattle, and its tick vector Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, as a prerequisite to the deployment of relevant control strategies. A total of 1636 ticks, 386 serum samples and 399 blood samples were collected from indigenous, apparently healthy, cattle of different age groups. Tick species were identified morphologically, and the identity of R.

Validation of a recombinant protein indirect ELISA for the detection of specific antibodies against Theileria uilenbergi and Theileria luwenshuni in small ruminants.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on a recombinant Theileria uilenbergi immunodominant protein (rTuIP) was validated for detection of antibodies in 188 positive and 198 negative reference serum samples, respectively. The cut-off value was determined at 32.7% with 95% and 90% accuracy levels by two-graphic receiver-operating characteristic (TG-ROC).

To be or not to be associated: power study of four statistical modeling approaches to identify parasite associations in cross-sectional studies.

A growing number of studies are reporting simultaneous infections by parasites in many different hosts. The detection of whether these parasites are significantly associated is important in medicine and epidemiology. Numerous approaches to detect associations are available, but only a few provide statistical tests.

Whole antigenic lysates of Ixodes ricinus, but not Der-p2 allergen-like protein, are potent inducers of basophil activation in previously tick-exposed human hosts.

The clinical suspicion of tick anaphylaxis is based on a history of the bite and occurs often during the warm season. Further arguments are the presence of natural hosts in the immediate environment and, eventually, the identification of the tick. The diagnosis is confirmed when immediate-type sensitization is shown by positive skin prick tests performed with specific tick extracts or the demonstration of specific IgE in vitro.

Identification and characterization of Theileria annulata heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90) isoforms.

Heat-shock proteins (HSPs) refer to a group of proteins whose synthesis is enhanced upon sudden increase in temperature or exposure to a variety of other stressors. In this study, Theileria annulata (T. annulata) HSP90 was identified and characterized as a first step to understand the function of this molecule in T.

Coinfection of sheep with Anaplasma, Theileria and Babesia species in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

Infections of small ruminants with Anaplasma, Theileria and Babesia species are widely distributed in the old world and are of great economic impact. In Iraq, data on disease occurrence in sheep caused by above-mentioned infectious agents are scarce. This study provides information on various haemoparasitic agents infecting sheep in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, using molecular diagnostic tools.

Can Anaplasma ovis in small ruminants be neglected any longer?

Anaplasma species are obligate intracellular rickettsial pathogens transmitted by ticks with an impact on human and animal health. Anaplasma ovis infects sheep and goats in many regions of the world, and it can be diagnosed by different methods like Giemsa staining, PCR or competitive ELISA. In this study, a PCR based on the gene coding for major surface protein 4 (MSP-4) was used to examine field samples collected from sheep in different countries.

Identification and partial characterization of a Salp15 homolog from Ixodes ricinus.

The immunomodulatory molecule Salp15 is originally described in Ixodes scapularis and has been shown to inhibit CD4 T cell activation. Many Salp15 homologs have been described from Ixodes species, and all were well conserved at C-terminal residues that seem to be essential for the function of the protein. In this study, a gene sequence was amplified from cDNA isolated from engorged female I.

Development of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification method for detection of Theileria lestoquardi.

A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed for the diagnosis of Theileria lestoquardi infection. The primers were designed based on the clone-5 sequence of T. lestoquardi.

Development and laboratory evaluation of a lateral flow device (LFD) for the serodiagnosis of Theileria annulata infection.

Several DNA-based and serological tests have been established for the detection of Theileria annulata infection, including polymerase chain reaction, reverse line blot and loop-mediated isothermal amplification, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and competitive ELISA. In this study, we have applied knowledge from the development and application of a recombinant protein-based indirect ELISA and competitive ELISA to establish a rapid test for point-of-care diagnosis of T. annulata infection in the field to be used by the veterinarian.

Development of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for rapid diagnosis of Babesia canis infections.

Vector-borne diseases are rising in interest due to global warming, which is believed to impact on the distribution of vectors into new areas thus influencing the occurrence and epidemiology of vector-borne pathogens. Babesia canis belongs to the Piroplasmidae and there are three described subspecies, namely B. canis canis, B.

Comparison between reverse line blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in diagnosis of major tick-borne diseases of cattle in Southern Sudan.

The performance of reverse line blot (RLB) in detecting DNA of Theileria parva, Theileria mutans and Babesia bigemina was assessed in comparison with specific antibody detection using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for the same parasites. Among 90 field samples from Central Equatoria state, Southern Sudan, ELISA reported more positive samples than RLB did. The concordance of RLB showed 66.

Identification of clone-9 antigenic protein of Theileria uilenbergi and evaluation of its application for serodiagnosis.

The pathogenic protozoan parasite Theileria uilenbergi is one of the causative agents of theileriosis in small ruminants in China. The infection results in great economical losses in the northwest part of China. Efforts are underway to establish an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on a T.

Cytoplasmic sequestration of p53 promotes survival in leukocytes transformed by Theileria.

The function of the p53 protein as the central effector molecule of the p53 apoptotic pathway was investigated in a reversible model of epigenetic transformation. The infection of bovine leukocytes by the intracellular protozoan parasite Theileria annulata results in parasite-dependent transformation and proliferation of the host cells. We found p53 to be largely localized in the host cell cytoplasm and associated with the parasite membrane of isolated schizonts.

Schizonts of Theileria annulata interact with the microtubuli network of their host cell via the membrane protein TaSP.

Intracellular leukoproliferative Theileria are unique as eukaryotic organisms that transform the immune cells of their ruminant host. Theileria utilize the uncontrolled proliferation for rapid multiplication and distribution into host daughter cells. The parasite distribution into the daughter cells is accompanied by a tight association with the host cell mitotic apparatus.

Epidemiological studies on tropical theileriosis (Theileria annulata infection of cattle) in Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

In an ad hoc survey conducted during 2006, the epidemiology of tropical theileriosis in Kurdistan Region, Iraq, was addressed. For this purpose, a total of 299 blood samples were collected from female cattle older than 1 year reared under open system management in Duhok (n = 99), Sulaimanyia (n = 100) and Erbil (n = 100) governorates. The samples were subjected to TaSP indirect ELISA as well as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR assays.

Identification of Theileria uilenbergi immunodominant protein for development of an indirect ELISA for diagnosis of ovine theileriosis.

Theileriosis of small ruminants in the northwest of China is a protozoan disease that restricts the development of the livestock industry. The disease is caused by infection with Theileria uilenbergi and Theilerialuwenshuni, both of which are transmitted by ixodid Heamaphysalis ticks. The development of serological tools as a means of integrated control of the disease is an urgent and important requirement.

Field validation of a competitive ELISA for detection of Theileria annulata infection.

In previous studies, Theileria annulata surface protein (TaSP) was identified as an immunodominant antigen and successfully used to develop a recombinant-protein-based indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of circulating antibodies in serum of T. annulata-infected animals. To increase the specificity, a competitive ELISA (cELISA) was developed using recombinant TaSP antigen and a monoclonal antibody (1C7) specifically binding to TaSP.

International network for capacity building for the control of emerging viral vector-borne zoonotic diseases: ARBO-ZOONET.

Arboviruses are arthropod-borne viruses, which include West Nile fever virus (WNFV), a mosquito-borne virus, Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), a mosquito-borne virus, and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), a tick-borne virus. These arthropod-borne viruses can cause disease in different domestic and wild animals and in humans, posing a threat to public health because of their epidemic and zoonotic potential. In recent decades, the geographical distribution of these diseases has expanded.

Tropical theileriosis: cytotoxic T lymphocyte response to vaccination.

Cattle which survive an infection with Theileria annulata become effectively immune to challenge with the same parasite strain, and are thought to be protected against a heterologous strain of the parasite. T-cells play a crucial role in both induction and maintenance of immunity to T. annulata.

Influence of subculturing on gene expression in a Theileria lestoquardi-infected cell line.

In this study potential molecular markers for identification of attenuation in a Theileria lestoquardi-infected cell line to be used in vaccination trials were identified. Two markers associated with attenuation in Theileria annulata vaccine strains were analyzed (metalloproteinase activity and TNF? mRNA expression). The result showed a decreased activity of MMP 9 and decreased mRNA expression of TNF? with increasing passage number.