Clinicopathological findings of a natural outbreak of Theileria annulata in cattle: an emerging disease in southern Iran

Theileriosis is an economically important hemoprotozoal disease with high morbidity and mortality in cattle. The present study reported the pathological features of a natural outbreak of tropical bovine theileriosis due to Theileria annulata in Fars Province, southern Iran. T. annulata was confirmed by the presence of T. annulata piroplasms in the blood smears and also by polymerase chain reaction test. On necropsy, pale mucous membranes and petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages in the mucosal and serosal surfaces together with lymphadenopathy were observed. The liver was friable, yellowish, and larger than normal. Hemorrhages and punched-out ulcers were observed in the abomasal mucous membrane. Severe petechial hemorrhages were seen in the skin particularly in the hairless areas. Pulmonary edema and emphysema with petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhagic foci in the lungs were evident. The main histological changes were proliferation of lymphocytes in the lymph nodes and proliferation of macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells in the spleen, Peyer's patches, portal tracts of the liver, and interstitial tissue of the kidneys. The mucous membrane of the abomasum showed numerous multifocal areas of necrosis and ulceration, and the submucosal area and lamina propria adjacent to these lesions showed hyperemia and hemorrhages, with mononuclear cell infiltration. The skin showed multifocal necrotic changes, petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages, and chronic dermatitis. The schizonts of Theileria were evident in the cytoplasm of the lymphocytes and macrophages of the lymph nodes, spleen, and skin. Molecular examination revealed that these animals were infected with T. annulata. The present study describes the clinicopathological findings of bovine tropical theileriosis in an unpredictable weather condition.