Genetic characterization of Theileria species infecting bovines in India

Genetic characterization of Theileria species infecting bovines in India was attempted targeting the 18S ribosomal RNA region of the parasite. Blood samples of bovines (n = 452), suspected for haemoprotozoan infections, from 9 different states of the country were microscopically examined for Theileria species infection. Four Theileria spp. positive blood samples from each state were randomly utilized for PCR amplification of the 18S rRNA gene (approx. 1529 bp) followed by cloning and sequencing. The sequence data analysis of all the 36 isolates revealed that 33 isolates had high sequence similarity with published sequences of T. annulata, whereas 3 isolates (MF287917, MF287924 and MF287928) showed close similarity with published sequences of T. orientalis. Sequence homology within the isolates ranged between 95.8 and 100% and variation in the length of targeted region was also noticed in different isolates (1527–1538 nt). Phylogenetic tree created for T. annulata sequences revealed that a total of 24 Indian isolates formed a major clade and grouped together with isolates originating from countries like China, Spain, Turkey and USA. Remaining 09 isolates clustered in a separate group and were closely related to the TA5 isolate of T. annulata (a new genotype) originating from India and also with the isolates from East Asian countries like Japan and Malaysia. All the three T. orientalis isolates had minimal intraspecific variation (99–100% homology) amongst themselves. Further, in the phylogenetic analysis T. orientalis Indian isolates were found to cluster away from other 14 isolates of T. buffeli/sergenti/orientalis originating from different countries (Australia, China, Indonesia and Spain). However, these 3 isolates clustered together with the T. buffeli Indian isolate (EF126184). Present study confirmed the circulation of different genotypes of T. annulata in India, along with T. orientalis isolates.