Vol 7 (10) Oct ’17

International Journal of Livestock Research eISSN : 2277-1964 NAAS Score -5.36

Original Research

Clinical, Hematological Changes and Therapeutic Efficacy of Buparvaquone

with Oxytetracycline against the Natural Infection of Theileria annulata in
Cattle
Saravanan M*, Ranjithkumar M, Babu Prasanth N, Yogeshpriya S, Jayalakshmi K and
Kannan K

Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Veterinary College and Research Institute (TANUVAS),
Orathanadu, Thanjavur– 614 625, Tamil Nadu, INDIA

*Corresponding author: sara82vet@yahoo.com

Rec. Date: May 30, 2017 07:18

Accept Date: Jul 16, 2017 13:05
Published Online: September 25, 2017
DOI 10.5455/ijlr.20170716010544

Abstract
The present study was conducted at Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Veterinary College and
Research Institute Orathanadu Thanjavur district. In this study 9 animals were positive for Theileria
annulata in the peripheral blood smear. Peripheral blood smears and EDTA blood samples were collected
in all affected animals to study the therapeutic effect of before and after treatment. The common clinical
signs are enlargement of prescapular lymph node, inappetence, diarrhea, fever, nasal discharge and
respiratory dyspnea were recorded in the Theileria infected cattle. Significantly decreased level of
hemoglobin, PCV, RBCs and lymphocyte count were noticed. Single dose of buparvaquone and
Oxytetracycline along with supportive treatment shows better effect against Theileria annulata in cattle

Key words: Anemia, Buparvaquone, Oxytetracycline, Piroplasms, Pre scapula LN Enlargement and
Theileria annulata

How to cite: Saravanan, M., Ranjithkumar, M., Bapu Prasanth, N., Yogeshpriya, S., Jayalakshmi, K., &
Kannan, K. (2017). Clinical, Hematological Changes and Therapeutic Efficacy of Buparvaquone with
Oxytetracycline against the Natural Infection of Theileria Annulata in Cattle. International Journal Of
Livestock Research, 7(10), 128-133. http://dx.doi.org/10.5455/ijlr.20170716010544

Introduction
Theileria annulata, a haemoprotozoan disease of cattle, transmitted by Hyalomma annoloticum ticks and
causes a disease is called as tropical Theileriosis. Theileriosis causes significant economic loss and
reduced production performance of the cattle. The incidence of theileriosis were found to be 27.2% in
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cross-bred cattle with highest prevalence rate of 45.4% during rainy season in Dehradun district,
Uttarakhand, India (Kohli et al., 2014) and 16% in Northern Kerala were recorded (Nair et al., 2011). An
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outbreak of bovine theileriosis was reported in Punjab with 4.86% mortality rate (Mahajan et al., 2013).

Hosted@www.ijlr.org DOI 10.5455/ijlr.20170716010544

 Vol 7 (10) Oct ’17
International Journal of Livestock Research eISSN : 2277-1964 NAAS Score -5.36

Theileria affected cattle were shows high fever and anemia, (Shiono et al., 2001; Nazifi et al., 2010)
enlargement of lymph nodes, leukopenia. General debility, weight loss, anorexia, petechial hemorrhages
on conjunctival mucosa, and cough are the other clinical symptoms (El-Deeb and Younis, 2009). Hemato-
biochemical changes are the indicators for the severity of disease and it is considered to be good tools for
the diagnosis, prognosis and to known the therapeutic efficacy (Nazifi et al., 2010).
Treatment of bovine theileriosis is one of the great importances because of high morbidity and prolonged
convalescent period. Buparvaquone is the most effective antitheilerial drug against the clinical form of
Theileriosis in cattle, but a second dose may be necessary in some of the cases (Dhar et al., 1990; Dolan
et al., 1992). Amira Al-Hosary et al. (2010) reported that 100% recovery was recorded in early diagnosed
cases of tropical theileriosis those were treated with buparvaquone. In late or chronic cases which usually
complicated with pulmonary disorders, hence using of antibiotics with Bupaquone was usually
recommended (Mbwambo et al., 2006). Muhammad et al. (1999) reported that oxytetracycline is also
effective against schizon stage of Theileria and it helps to cure respiratory infection in cattle, as well as
effective against other concurrent hemaoprotozoal and rickettsial infection in cattle. Hence, the present
study was designed to study the clinical, hematological changes and therapeutic efficacy of Buparvaquone
and Oxytetracycline against the natural infection of Theileria annulata in cattle.

Material and Methods

The present study was conducted at Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Veterinary College and
Research Institute Orathanadu Thanjavur district, cattle brought with the history of inappetence rise of
temperature, LN enlargement and loss of milk production. In this study 9 animals were positive for
Theileria annulata in the peripheral blood smear. All the nine animals were female cross bred cattle.
Clinical signs and vital parameters were recorded in affected animal. EDTA blood samples were collected
in all affected animals to study the therapeutic effect of before and after treatment. Therapeutic regiment
was started with Buparvaquone @ 2.5mg/kg b.wt IM single dose, Oxytetracycline @ 10mg/kg b.wt IV
for 3 days, Meloxicam @ 0.5mg/kg b.wt IM for 3 days, Vitamin B-complex with liver extract@10ml IM
for 5days, Haematinic (Iron sorbitol+Folic acid+Hydroxycobalamin) @ 10 ml IM weekly once for 2
doses and fluid therapy as per requirement of animal. Long acting Oxytetracycline @ 20mg/kg b.wt deep
IM two dose at 48hrs apart was administered. Hematological parameters were studied before and after the
treatment.

Statistical Analysis
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The recorder clinical signs were debited in percentage. The differences of means of hematological values
between before and after treatment were compared by using the paired t-test and values of P < 0.05 was
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considered significant.

Hosted@www.ijlr.org DOI 10.5455/ijlr.20170716010544

 Vol 7 (10) Oct ’17
International Journal of Livestock Research eISSN : 2277-1964 NAAS Score -5.36

Results and Discussions

In this present study nine animals were found to be positive for Theileria annulata. The recorded clinical
signs of the affected animals were showed enlargement of prescapular lymph node, inappetence, diarrhea,
fever, nasal discharge, respiratory dyspnea, pale and ictaric mucus membrane, low milk yield, ictaric mm,
haematuria, exopthalamus and abortion (Table 1).

Table 1: Clinical signs observed in Theileria infected cattle

Total Number of Cases (n= 9)
S. No. Clinical Signs No. of Cases Percentage (%)
1. Prescapular LN enlargement 6 66.7
2. Inappetence 5 55.6
3. Diarrhea 5 55.6
4. Fever 4 44.4
5. Nasal discharge 3 33.3
6. Respiratory dyspnea 3 33.3
7. Pale MM 2 22.2
8. Loss milk production 2 22.2
9. Ictaric MM 2 22.2
10. Haematuria 1 11.1
11. Exopthalamus 1 11.1
12. Abortion (about 2-2.5month) 1 11.1

Significantly decreased level of hemoglobin, PCV, RBCs and lymphocyte count were recorded in the
Theileria affected animals before initiation of the therapy. Significant improvement in the hematological
parameters was noticed after the therapy (Table 2).

Table 2: Haematological changes of before and after therapy

Parameters Treatment Mean± SE (n=8) P valve
Before 8.30±0.29
Hb (g/dl) 0.0218*
After 9.39±0.33
Before 24.63±0.78
PCV (%) 0.0219*
After 29.00±1.34
Before 2.81±0.10
RBC (x106µl) 0.0217*
After 3.21±0.12
Before 9.14±0.75
WBC (x103µl) 0.3141
After 9.512±0.31
Before 47.88±6.17
N (%) 0.0703
After 36.50±1.85
Before 46.75±6.35
L (%) 0.0259*
After 59.25±1.49
Before 3.13±0.81
M (%) 0.0273*
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After 1.50±0.19
Before 2.25±0.78
E (%) 0.4387
After 2.63±1.92
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Before 0.00±0.00
B (%) 0.1753
After 0.13±0.13

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 Vol 7 (10) Oct ’17
International Journal of Livestock Research eISSN : 2277-1964 NAAS Score -5.36

Out of nine animals eight animals treated with buparvaquone and oxytetracycline responded to the
therapy. One animal was died before starting the treatment. Clinical improvement was observed on
second day of therapy, like normal body temperature and appetite.
Bovine theileriosis is a major constraint to the livestock industry in most of the countries (El-Deeb and
Younis, 2009). Theileriosis is caused by Theileria annulata and transmitted by ticks of the Hyalomma
a.annoloticum (Mirzaei, 2007). Theileria affected cattle are shows high fever and anemia due to
intraerythrocytic parasitism by piroplasms (Shiono et al., 2001; Nazifi et al., 2010). Erythrophagocytosis
due to an immune-mediated mechanism might be responsible for the erythrocyte destruction (Uilenberg et
al., 1981). Removal of the piroplasm-infected erythrocytes by macrophages in the organs of the
reticuloendothelial system has been suggested as a cause of anemia (Beniwal et al., 2000). In addition,
pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly TNF- α, have been implicated in mediating anemia associated
with tropical theileriosis (Forsyth et al., 1999; Graham et al., 2001). The decrease in RBC could be due to
increased levels of activated complement products. Additionally, since oxidized erythrocytes may be
destroyed easily by erythropagocytosis, oxygen radicals. The significant increase in monocyte percentage
in infected cattle may be monocytes are the host cells invaded and transformed by T. annulata in vivo
(Preston et al., 1999). Cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6) produced by infected mononuclear cells are
responsible for the diverse clinical symptoms of tropical theileriosis, such as depression, pyrexia,
anorexia, cachexia, and disseminated hemorrhages (Graham et al., 2001). Paleness of mucous membranes
exhibited the development of anemia and reduction of hemoglobin concentration and the total
erythrocytes count was due to the distraction and the removed of the infected erythrocytes by reticulo-
endothelial system (Singh et al., 2001). Diarrhea seen in the infected cattle may be due to inflammatory
reaction and ulceration to abomasal and gastro intestinal tract (Al-Temeimy, 1982). Respiratory signs
occur due to the accumulation of edematous fluid inside the lung and thoracic cavity (Muraguri et al.,
2006). Since the disease is lymphoproliferative nature the enlargement of lymph nodes results
lymphodestruction and which leads leucopenia in the affected animal. The clinical signs in the present
case were consistent with those reported by El-Deeb and Younis (2009); Muhammad et al. (1999). Aslani
and Mohri (2002) reported bilateral exopthalamus due to theileriosis in cattle. Enlargement and protrusion
of the eye ball due to the peripheral tissues are affected by accumulation of lymphoblastiod cells in ocular
muscles and retro bulbar fats (Baharsefats et al., 1977).
In the present study buparvaquone was adjunct with oxytetracycline was used for the treatment of natural
infection with bovine theileriosis. Oxytetracycline hydrochloride is also effective against schizonts stage
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of Theileria annulata. Oxytetracycline is adjunct to buparvaquone because in addition antitheilerial

activity, it helps to ameliorate the pneumonic changes and curative for anaplasmosis which may occur
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concurrently (Khanna et al., 1983; Bagherwal, 1989; Dolan et al., 1992). Muhammad et al. (1999)

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 Vol 7 (10) Oct ’17
International Journal of Livestock Research eISSN : 2277-1964 NAAS Score -5.36

reported Buparvaquone in combination with oxytetracycline was most effective chemotherapeutic agent
Theileriosis (Muhammad et al., 1999). Supportive treatment with Vitamin B-complex with liver extract,
haematinic and fluid therapy is very much useful to facilitate the quick recovery and to restore the
negative energy balance of the theileriosis cattle.

Conclusion
In the present study it was concluded that buparvaquone in combination with oxytetracycline is very
much effective for the clinical case of Theileriosis in cattle with quick and better recovery.

Acknowledgement
The Authors are grateful to The Director of Clinics TANUVAS Chennai and Professor and Head TVCC
VCRI, Orathanadu to provide all the facilities for carrying out this study.

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