Theileria parva
Encyclopedia
Theileria parva is a parasitic protozoan, named in honour of Arnold Theiler
, that causes East Coast fever
(theileriosis) in cattle, a costly disease in Africa. The main vector for T. parva is the tick
Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. Theiler found that East Coast fever was not the same as redwater
, but caused by a different protozoan.
Theileria parva has four chromosomes and a plastome
. In 2005 the sequencing
of its genome
was announced. T. parva has genes that allow it to attach to white blood cell
(leukocyte) membranes, enter the cells and take them over. It then activates the host cells' mitotic pathway, and multiplies along with the host cells. When the genome of Babesia bovis
, another protozoan parasite that infects red blood cells (erythrocytes) and causes Babesiosis
(Redwater) in cattle, was sequenced in 2007 their genomes were found to be remarkably similar.
Arnold Theiler
Sir Arnold Theiler Pour le Mérite] is considered to be the father of veterinary science in South Africa. He was born in Frick, Canton Aargau, Switzerland. He received his higher education, and later qualified as a veterinarian, in Zurich...
, that causes East Coast fever
East Coast fever
-Introduction:East Coast fever is a disease of cattle, sheep and goats caused by the protozoan parasite Theileria parva. The term excludes diseases caused by other Theileria, such as tropical theileriosis , caused by T. annulata, and human theileriosis, caused by T...
(theileriosis) in cattle, a costly disease in Africa. The main vector for T. parva is the tick
Tick
Ticks are small arachnids in the order Ixodida, along with mites, constitute the subclass Acarina. Ticks are ectoparasites , living by hematophagy on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians...
Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. Theiler found that East Coast fever was not the same as redwater
Babesiosis
Babesiosis is a malaria-like parasitic disease caused by infection with Babesia, a genus of protozoal piroplasms. After trypanosomes, Babesia are thought to be the second most common blood parasites of mammals and they can have a major impact on health of domestic animals in areas without severe...
, but caused by a different protozoan.
Theileria parva has four chromosomes and a plastome
Plastome
The plastome is the genetic material that is found in plastids in plant cells . It composes part of the entire genome of photosynthetic organisms....
. In 2005 the sequencing
Full genome sequencing
Full genome sequencing , also known as whole genome sequencing , complete genome sequencing, or entire genome sequencing, is a laboratory process that determines the complete DNA sequence of an organism's genome at a single time...
of its genome
Genome
In modern molecular biology and genetics, the genome is the entirety of an organism's hereditary information. It is encoded either in DNA or, for many types of virus, in RNA. The genome includes both the genes and the non-coding sequences of the DNA/RNA....
was announced. T. parva has genes that allow it to attach to white blood cell
White blood cell
White blood cells, or leukocytes , are cells of the immune system involved in defending the body against both infectious disease and foreign materials. Five different and diverse types of leukocytes exist, but they are all produced and derived from a multipotent cell in the bone marrow known as a...
(leukocyte) membranes, enter the cells and take them over. It then activates the host cells' mitotic pathway, and multiplies along with the host cells. When the genome of Babesia bovis
Babesia bovis
Babesia bovis is a single-celled protozoan parasite of cattle which occasionally infects humans. It is a member of the phylum Apicomplexa, which also includes the malaria parasite. The disease it and other members of the genus Babesia causes is a hemolytic anemia known as Babesiosis and...
, another protozoan parasite that infects red blood cells (erythrocytes) and causes Babesiosis
Babesiosis
Babesiosis is a malaria-like parasitic disease caused by infection with Babesia, a genus of protozoal piroplasms. After trypanosomes, Babesia are thought to be the second most common blood parasites of mammals and they can have a major impact on health of domestic animals in areas without severe...
(Redwater) in cattle, was sequenced in 2007 their genomes were found to be remarkably similar.