Epidemiological Study of Sheep Thieleriasis in Thi-Qar Province

Abstract

Ovine theileriosis is an important tick-borne disease of sheep in the world, caused by Theileria hirci (T. lestoquardi). The disease is economically important in small ruminants, particularly in sheep, causing clinical illness and mortalities in Middle East, west Asia, subcontinent, parts of Africa and Mediterranean Basin. The present study was carried out to determine the infection rate of theileriosis in sheep in East, west, north, south and center of The_Qar province by clinical signs and using microscopic examination of thin blood smears (ME).A total of 1400 sheep from 5 flocks (distributed in East, west, north, south and center of The_Qar province). Blood samples were collected from jugular veins of 580 infected sheep (diagnosed by clinical signs) ,blood samples collected in tubes containing EDTA. These samples were used for thin blood smears for ME (microscopical examination) by using Gemsa stain. Results showed the high infection rates were indicated in July, August and September (98 %, 45% and 55%) respectively, while the months March, April, May, and June were indicated lower percentage ( 10%, 27%, 25% and 30%) respectively, for this the total rate of infection by this parasite in sheep of Thi-Qar province in year 2012 was (41.42%) , this ratio is more than others in the last twenty years.