Parasitological examination for Trypanosoma theileri infection of cattle from Quirino Province, Philippines

Cherry P Fernandez, Abigail M Baticados , Waren N Baticados
Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines 4031

Abstract: Trypanosoma theileri is one of the protozoan parasites reported in cattle and carabaos in the Philippines. The distribution of T. theileri infection in livestock in this country is not well established. To date, more than two decades have passed without any new T. theileri prevalence reported in the country. The present study endeavored to determine whether the parasite is endogenously present in cattle from the remote areas of Region II (Cagayan Valley), particularly in the province of Quirino, Philippines and to establish the current parasite prevalence of T. theileri in this province using the blood parasite examination method. A total of 246 field blood samples of cattle was collected from 5/6 (83%) of the municipalities of Quirino Province, Philippines. Blood parasite examination of Giemsa-stained smears revealed that all samples were negative for the presence of the T. theileri parasite. Given that the mainstay of parasitological examination in the field is the classic blood parasite examination method, the data suggest that the negative results of these examinations can probably be attributed to very low parasitemia.

Keywords: Trypanosoma theileri, blood parasite examination, Quirino Province, Philippines