JVAS announces awards - Four best research articles (one each from basic, production, para-clinical and clinical subjects) and one best short communication will be adjudged for awards each year!!!

Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

Volume: 57 Issue: 3

  • Open Access
  • Research Article

Assessment of haemato-biochemical alterations in neurological form of Theileria luwenshuni infection in goats

K. Anusree1, K.Vinodkumar1, P.V. Tresamol1, V.H. Shyma1, Ancy Thankachan 1 and Asha Rajagopal2

1Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine , 2Department of Veterinary Parasitology College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur-680651, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad

Year: 2026, Page: 385-389, Doi: https://doi.org/10.51966/jvas.2026.57.3.385-389

Received: Feb. 5, 2026 Accepted: April 21, 2026 Published: Sept. 30, 2026

Abstract

The cerebral form of theileriosis with nystagmus, opisthotonus and circling as the predominant clinical signs, is rarely reported in small ruminants. Fifteen goats with many or all of the following neurological signs like circling, head pressing, ataxia, incoordination, staggering, tremors, muscle twitching, seizures, blindness, opisthotonus, paralysis, bruxism, abnormal posture, reduced or absence of reflexes were selected for the study. Presence of merozoites of T. luwenshuni was confirmed in the blood of six (40%) of the animals by blood smear examination and PCR targeting 18SrRNA gene. Statistically significant alterations were not detected in any of the biochemical parameters assessed, but moderate reduction in serum levels of magnesium, copper and zinc were noticed.

Keywords: Theileria luwenshuni, goats, haemato-biochemical alterations

References

Abimanyu, G., Vijayakaran, K., Latchumikanthan, A., Velusamy, R., Kaarthick, D. T., Lakshmi, R., & Vijayarajan, A. (2024). Turning sickness: Cerebral theileriosis in a non-descript goat with concurrent gastrointestinal parasitism: A case report. International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, 9(5): 447-450.

Begam, R., Talukdar, S. K., Sarmah, P. C., Bulbul, K. H., Kakati, P., Tamuly, S., & Islam, S. (2022). Molecular and microscopic detection of Theileria luwenshuni infection in goats in and around Guwahati of Assam, India. Biological Rhythm Research, 53(1), 18-25. https://doi.org/10.1080/09291016.2019.1621066

Cintia, P. G., Leonardo, M., Israel, O. R., Andrea, S., Beatriz, V. L., and  Elena, D. M. (2016). Superoxide Dismutase Activity, Hydrogen Peroxide Steady-State Concentration, and Bactericidal and Phagocytic Activities Against Moraxella bovis, in Neutrophils Isolated from Copper-Deficient Bovines. Biological trace element research, 171(1), 94–100. https://doi. org/10.1007/s12011-015-0505-2

Denishan. V., Kozat. S., Ozkan. C., & Tuncer. S. (2017). Evaluation of Serum Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Calcium, Phosphorus and Magnesium Concentrations in Cattle Naturally Infected with Theileria annulata. Atatürk Üniversitesi Veteriner Bilimleri Dergisi,  12(2): 111-117 . DOI:10.17094/ ataunivbd.347680

Dhaygude, V. S., Kundu, K., Kamdi, B. P., Bagal, U. R., Bhosale, S. B., & Sabharwal, D. (2021). Investigations on First Confirmed Outbreak of Ovine Theileriosis (Theileria luwenshuni) from Maharashtra State, India. Indian Journal of Animal Research, 55(8). 10.18805/IJAR.B-4199

Jalali, S. M., Khaki, Z., Kazemi, B., Rahbari, S., Shayan, P., Bandehpour, M., & Yasini, S. P. (2014). Molecular detection and identification of Theileria species by PCR-RFLP method in sheep from Ahvaz, Southern Iran. Iranian Journal of Parasitology, 9(1), 99.

Mahmoud, M., Al-Dhalimy, A., & Al-Dujaily, A. (2019). Study of hematological and biochemical changes in sheep and goats infected with theileriosis AT-Najaf province, Iraq. Biochemical and Cellular Archives, 19(1), 1863-1867.

Mamatha, G. S., Shruthi, R., Chandranaik, B. M., D’Souza, P. E., Thimmareddy, P. M., Shivashankar, B. P., & Puttalakshmamma, G. C. (2017). Molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic characterisation of Theileria luwenshuni in India: A first report. Small Ruminant Research, 154, 52-57. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2017.07.003

Manohar, M., Davis, J., Vijayakumar, K., Kumar, V., & Rajan, S. K. (2021). Haemato-biochemical alterations in caprine theileriosis. The Pharma Innovation Journal , 10(3): 388-390. https://doi.org/10.22271/tpi.2021. v10.i3f.5801

Nagaraj, H. V., Lakshmanan, B., Lonappan, G. V., Shameem, H., Jose, J., & Sabu, L. (2019). Molecular identification of caprine carriers of theileriosis in South India. Veterinarski arhiv, 89(3), 367-378. https://doi.org/10.24099/vet.arhiv.0227

Nithya, G., Ajith, Y., Raina, V., Thushar, T., Adithya, S., Athira, K. S., ... & Davis, K. J. (2024). Clinical manifestation and management of hypomagnesemia in Theileria spp. infected periparturient Malabari goats. Journal of Trace Elements and Minerals, 9, 100192. https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemin.2024.100192

Razmi, G., Yaghfoori, S., Mohri, M., Maleki, M., & Movassaghi, A. (2019). A study of clinical and pathological findings in an ovine experimental theileriosis. Comparative Clinical Pathology, 28(6), 1565-1570. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-019 02960-9

Taha, K. M., Salih, D. A., Ali, A. M., Omer, R. A., & El Hussein, A. M. (2013). Naturally occurring infections of cattle with Theileria lestoquardi and sheep with Theileria annulata in the Sudan. Veterinary parasitology, 191(1-2), vetpar.2012.08.003 143-145. 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.08.003

Yin, H., Liu, Z., Guan, G., Liu, A., Ma, M., Ren, Q., & Luo, J. (2008). Detection and differentiation of Theileria luwenshuni and T. uilenbergi infection in small ruminants by PCR. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 55(5-6), 233-237. https://doi. org/10.1111/j.1865-1682.2008.01031.x

Cite this article

Anusree, K., Vinodkumar, K., Tresamol, P. V., Shyma, V. H., Thankachan, A. & Rajagopal, A. (2026). Assessment of haemato-biochemical alterations in neurological form of Theileria luwenshuni infection in goats. Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 57(3), 385-389

Views
2
Downloads
1
Citations