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Projeto de investigação
Ecosmart Alternative Control Strategies against T. annulata and its Tick Vectors
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Publicações
Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Theileria annulata Infection in Two Bovine Portuguese Autochthonous Breeds
Publication . Valente, Diana; Dutra, Ana Paula; Carolino, Nuno; Gomes, Jacinto; Coelho, Ana Cláudia; Espadinha, Pedro; Pais, José; Carolino, Inês
Tropical Bovine Theileriosis is an important tick-borne disease. This study aims to assess
the occurrence of Theileria annulata infection in two indigenous Portuguese cattle breeds. A total of
843 blood samples collected from animals of Alentejana (n = 420) and Mertolenga (n = 423) breeds
were analyzed. The detection of Theileria annulata was determined by amplification of a fragment
of the merozoite-pyroplasm surface antigen gene with 319 base pairs (bp). The prevalence found
(10.8%) is lower than that reported in previous studies (21.3%). A statistically significant difference
was found for positivity between breeds (p < 0.05). There is also a higher probability of older animals
being positive compared to younger ones (p < 0.05). The region where Mertolenga animals are located
is shown to have a significant impact on positivity (p < 0.05). Thus, the development of sustainable
T. annulata control strategies and their implementation, adapted to the epidemiological conditions of
higher risk, will be extremely important.
Genetic Resistance of Bovines to Theileriosis
Publication . Valente, Diana; Gomes, Jacinto; Coelho, Ana Cláudia; Carolino, Inês
Diseases caused by ticks have a high impact on the health, welfare, and productivity of
livestock species. They are also an important cause of economic losses in farms worldwide. An
example of such diseases is theileriosis, which can be controlled by drugs or vaccines, although these
are not fully efficient. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative and more sustainable and
efficient complementary strategies. These may involve the identification and selection of animals
more resistant to the disease. Several previous studies have identified significant differences in
resistance between different breeds, with resistant breeds typically identified as those native to the
region where they are being studied, and susceptible as those from exotic breeds. These studies have
indicated that resistance traits are intrinsically related to the modulation of the immune response
to infection. This review aims to systematize the general knowledge about theileriosis, emphasize
resistance to this disease as a sustainable control strategy, and identify which traits of resistance to
the disease are already known in cattle
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Entidade financiadora
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Programa de financiamento
3599-PPCDT
Número da atribuição
LEAPAgri/0005/2017