Author: Walter Muleya, David Kalenzi Atuhaire, Simbuwa Mulonga, Victor Mbao, Kalume Moise Kasereka, Kambale Mbusa Héritier, Boniface Namangala, Jeremy Salt & Anthony Jim Musoke
Year: 2026
About this Publication:
East Coast Fever (ECF) is one of the most economically important tick-borne diseases of cattle in Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa, caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite Theileria parva (T. parva). This study investigated the seroprevalence and genetic diversity of T. parva populations in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to inform immunization strategies against ECF. A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2012 and January 2013 in three provinces of eastern DRC (North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri) to assess the seroprevalence and confirm the presence of T. parva in cattle. Blood samples from 31 villages across different agro-ecological zones were analyzed using the PIM ELISA, and ELISA-positive samples were further screened by p104 PCR. An immunization and field challenge trial using the Muguga Cocktail vaccine was conducted with 100 seronegative cattle. Molecular characterization of samples collected from the sentinel, immunized, and control groups was performed by sequencing the p67, Tp1, and Tp2 genes and conducting microsatellite genotyping. Data were analyzed using MEGA, DnaSP, GenAIEx, FSTAT, and LIAN to determine genetic variation, population structure, and linkage equilibrium among T. parva isolates.
Grant: PLSHL2
Subject Areas: Research and Development
Diseases: East Coast Fever
URL https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12917-026-05759-3
