| Objective of Talk |
a. Theileriosis is a rapidly spreading tick-borne disease of cattle in the US. The biology and ecology of this protozoan and its vector, the Longhorned Tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis), are individually complex. With a joint infestation and infection, they make it very difficult to elucidate a clear picture of the vector-pathogen-host relationship. Subsequently, the transmission, virulence, pathogenicity, epidemiology, and host immune response of cattle Theileriosis are not fully understood by researchers yet. This has led to a great deal of misunderstanding of the disease by veterinarians and their clients, creating husbandry and veterinary practices that are useless at a minimum with many causing harms to the health of the US cattle industry. Additionally, economic losses from increased mortality, abortions, decreased production in adults and young, and lack of confidence in regional cattle markets are increasing. This talk will briefly present the current situation of theileriosis in cattle in the US including the life cycle of both parasites, prevailing endemicity, the clinical presentation and diagnosis, prevention strategies, and the effects of infection on production and reproduction parameters in cattle. |
