Study on some hematologic and biochemical factors in asymptomatic cattle infected with Theileria annulata

    Theileria annulata is one of the protozoan parasites which is transmitted by hard ticks and causes tropical theileriosis in cattle and buffaloes. This disease is one of the most important economic loss producing causes in several countries. This survey was conducted on 90, 2-5 years old native cattle (30 healthy, 30 involved with theileriosisand 30 asymptomatic cattle infected with Theileria). Blood samples were collected and then some hematologic and biochemical parameters were analyzed. The results revealed that in the involved group, RBC, PCV, HB, MCHC and WBC measures were significantly reduced compared with control group (P<0.05). The number of eosinophils in the involved and infected asymptomatic group were significantly higher than control (P<0.05), but the number of neutrophils were significantly less than control and asymptomatic groups (P<0.05). The counts of lymphocytes were also significantly lower in the involved and infected asymptomatic cattle than controls (P<0.05). Only PLT, lymphocyte, eosinophil and neutrophil rates had significant changes in asymptomatic infected cattle (P<0.05). The serum activity of ALT, AST, ALP and the amount of BUN were also significantly higher in the involved group compare to controls (P<0.05).  The present investigation showed that unlike the involved group, studied parameters were returned to normal range in asymptomatic infected cattle after recovering from the disease.