Authors: Ma Yihong, Jian Yingna, Wang Geping, Li Xiuping, Wang Guanghua, Hu Yong, Yokoyama Naoaki, Ma Liqing, Xuan Xuenan
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Theileria and Babesia Distribution in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Livestock Tick-borne protozoal parasites pose significant threats to livestock productivity across China's high-altitude regions, yet their prevalence and species distribution in plateau-adapted animals remain poorly characterised. Researchers examined blood samples from 366 animals representing seven species (sheep, goats, yaks, cattle, Bactrian camels, horses, and donkeys) using conventional and nested PCR to identify Babesia and Theileria species across multiple geographic locations. Theileria infection was substantially more prevalent than Babesia, affecting 38.2% of sampled animals compared to just 0.3% for Babesia spp., with notable geographic variation in infection rates (p < 0.05). Several species showed either no infections or previously undocumented parasite-host associations—particularly significant being the first recorded detection of *Theileria luwenshuni* in Bactrian camels and goats, *T. sinesis* in cattle, and *T. equi* in horses at plateau altitude. For equine practitioners and those managing livestock in high-altitude regions, these findings highlight the need for targeted screening protocols tailored to local parasite ecology, especially where novel host-pathogen associations may affect animal welfare and productivity, and underscore the importance of robust tick control strategies adapted to regional species distribution patterns.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Theileria species are highly prevalent (38.2%) in livestock on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, requiring enhanced tick control and monitoring programs for affected animals
- •Horses on the plateau may carry T. equi infections; veterinarians should maintain heightened diagnostic awareness for tick-borne diseases in equine cases
- •Geographic variation in infection rates suggests location-specific risk factors; management strategies should be tailored by prefecture rather than applied uniformly across the region
Key Findings
- •Overall Babesia spp. infection rate was 0.3% (1/366) across all livestock species studied
- •Overall Theileria spp. infection rate was 38.2% (140/366) across all livestock species studied
- •First documented detection of Theileria luwenshuni in Bactrian camels and goats, T. sinesis in cattle, and T. equi in horses on the Qinghai plateau
- •Infection rates of both parasites varied significantly by prefecture (p < 0.05) with no infections detected in donkeys or yaks