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<p>Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture of Japan, has a thriving cattle industry primarily composed of Japanese Black cattle. The region’s humid subtropical climate favors tick development, facilitating transmission of <i>Theileria orientalis</i>, a tick-borne parasite that causes oriental theileriosis in cattle. However, the clinical impact of <i>T. orientalis</i> infection in Japanese Black cattle remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and clinical impact of <i>T. orientalis</i> in this cattle breed. Blood samples were collected from 359 Japanese Black cattle in Okinawa. Through PCR screening of blood DNA samples, <i>T. orientalis</i> was detected in 214 cattle (59.6%). Infection rates were comparable between males and females, but were significantly higher in extensively managed and older cattle than in intensively managed and younger animals, respectively. Genotyping analysis detected genotypes 1–5 and 7 of <i>T. orientalis</i> in the infected cattle. Additionally, genotypes 1–5 and 1–3 were detected in <i>T. orientalis</i>-positive <i>Haemaphysalis longicornis</i> and <i>H. mageshimaensis</i> ticks, respectively, collected in Okinawa. The detection of the virulent genotype 2 in both cattle and tick species suggests the potential clinical importance of <i>T. orientalis</i> infection. Consistent with this, hematological analysis revealed that red blood cell counts, hemoglobin concentrations, and hematocrit values were significantly lower in infected animals, as compared to non-infected animals. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the clinical impact of <i>T. orientalis</i> in Japanese Black cattle. These findings underscore the importance of managing oriental theileriosis in Okinawa.</p>

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Prevalence, risk factors, and clinical impact of Theileria orientalis infection in Japanese Black cattle in Okinawa, Japan

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月12日

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  • Satoko Nakao,
  • Thillaiampalam Sivakumar,
  • Akiko Ohno,
  • Yuko Takakuwa,
  • Hajime Suzuki,
  • Keiko Nakamura,
  • Keiichiro Ohta,
  • Osamu Tsuha,
  • Rika Umemiya-Shirafuji,
  • Naoaki Yokoyama

摘要

Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture of Japan, has a thriving cattle industry primarily composed of Japanese Black cattle. The region’s humid subtropical climate favors tick development, facilitating transmission of Theileria orientalis, a tick-borne parasite that causes oriental theileriosis in cattle. However, the clinical impact of T. orientalis infection in Japanese Black cattle remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and clinical impact of T. orientalis in this cattle breed. Blood samples were collected from 359 Japanese Black cattle in Okinawa. Through PCR screening of blood DNA samples, T. orientalis was detected in 214 cattle (59.6%). Infection rates were comparable between males and females, but were significantly higher in extensively managed and older cattle than in intensively managed and younger animals, respectively. Genotyping analysis detected genotypes 1–5 and 7 of T. orientalis in the infected cattle. Additionally, genotypes 1–5 and 1–3 were detected in T. orientalis-positive Haemaphysalis longicornis and H. mageshimaensis ticks, respectively, collected in Okinawa. The detection of the virulent genotype 2 in both cattle and tick species suggests the potential clinical importance of T. orientalis infection. Consistent with this, hematological analysis revealed that red blood cell counts, hemoglobin concentrations, and hematocrit values were significantly lower in infected animals, as compared to non-infected animals. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the clinical impact of T. orientalis in Japanese Black cattle. These findings underscore the importance of managing oriental theileriosis in Okinawa.