Molecular analysis and risk factors associated with Theileria equi infection in domestic donkeys and mules of Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract Theileriosis is an important disease of economic significance which badly affects the equine husbandry of developing countries. The current study was planned to investigate the molecular prevalence of theileriosis, associated risk factors, and alterations in hematological parameters of donkeys and mules from district Mianwali, Punjab Pakistan. Blood samples from 150 equids (n = 75 donkeys; n = 75 mules) were examined microscopically and the genomic DNA from each sample was processed for the amplification of the 18S rRNA gene of Theileria. The PCR confirmed isolates were purified followed by sequencing. The data regarding the analysis of risk factors was collected in a predesigned questionnaire and statistically analyzed by logistic regression analysis. An overall prevalence of 17.33% was noted in this study. Donkeys showed more prevalence followed by mules being 20.0% and 14.7% respectively. The study isolates showed high resemblance (99%) with isolates from USA, Spain, Brazil, Israel, Cuba, France, South Africa, Korea, Turkey, Tunisia, India, E. Caribbean and Nigeria. The potential risk factors found to be significantly associated (p