Detection of Theileria spp and Hematological Profiles of Infected Cattle from Selected Farms in Selangor, Malaysia

A cross-sectional study was carried out in 5 selected cattle farms in Selangor, Malaysia to determine the occurrence of Theileria spp., and to assess the relationship between the rate of parasitemia and hematological profiles of infected cattle. A total of 50 young and adult cattle (male and female) were randomly selected for the study. Blood was collected aseptically from the jugular veins in EDTA vacationers and thin blood smears was made on glass slides which were stained with Giemsa-stain for examination of Theileria spp and its piroplasms. The occurrence of Theileria spp. infection within the population was 68% and 72% for both young and adult cattle respectively. There was no significant difference (p 0.05) between the presence of the parasite andage groups of affected cattle. The hematological profiles of 35 cattle with Theileriosis was divided into 2 subgroups based on different parasitemia levels ( 1% and1-3%). There were significant differences (p 0.05) in all the erythrocytic parameters (RBC, Hb, PCV, MCV and MCHC) between the two parasitemic groups. Similarly, macrocytic normochromic anemia was observed in the group with parasitemia level of 1-3%. The leucocytic parameters were significantly different (p 0.05) between the two parasitemic groups but did not differ from the control group (p 0.05). The study reported a high occurrence of Theileria infection in Selangor. Thus, it is required to take stringent control measures in order to curtail the menace of the disease in the population.