Concurrent infection with bovine leukaemia virus and Theileria annulata in a Friesian calf

Abstract

Concurrent infection with bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) and Theileria annulata was diagnosed in a Friesian calf about 6 months of age at a dairy farm at the Qassim region of central Saudi Arabia. The disease ended fatally with signs of liver and heart failure. There was anorexia, pyrexia, anaemia, generalized oedema and jaundice. Haematology showed low RBC counts, PCV percentage and haemoglobin concentration and WBC counts. Lymphocyte differential was high. Examination of blood smears stained with Giemsa's stain showed the presence of piroplasms in red blood cells. Autopsy showed enlarged lymph nodes and lymphosarcoma lesions in the omentum and the heart. There was hydroperitoneum, hydropericardium and hydrothorax. The liver was pale yellow and friable. Impression smears from sliced lymph nodes and stained with Giemsa's stain showed presence of Koch's blue bodies in lymphoblasts. Histopathological examination revealed fatty degeneration of hepatocytes and pleomorphic lymphoblasts and giant cells in lymph nodes. Lymphoblasts infiltrated the omentum and heart tissues. Amyloid was found around blood vessels in the liver, kidneys and lymph nodes. BVL infection was diagnosed by demonstrating antibodies against the virus in serum using agar gel immunodiffusion and was confirmed with ELISA.

Elevated Serum Cardiac Troponin I in Cattle with Theileriosis

“…Atypical location of the cells containing the parasite may be because of an embolism or sequestration in myocardial vessels. 35 Also in a pathologic study of cattle naturally infected with T. annulata, the heart had petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages on the outer and inner surface of auricles. 33 Necrotic and hemorrhagic nodules were seen on those surfaces.…”

“…Perhaps, similar events occur in other viscera, such as heart, in noncerebral theileriosis. Atypical location of the cells containing the parasite may be because of an embolism or sequestration in myocardial vessels . Also in a pathologic study of cattle naturally infected with T. annulata , the heart had petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages on the outer and inner surface of auricles .…”

“…23,34 Hydropericardium and edema of the heart valves in postmortem examination of a Friesian calf with concurrent infection with T. annulata and bovine leukemia virus have been reported previously. 35 In cattle with cerebral theileriosis (turning sickness) parasitized lymphoblasts accumulate in cerebral blood vessels, with resultant thrombosis and infarction of affected organs. 27 Perhaps, similar events occur in other viscera, such as heart, in noncerebral theileriosis.…”

Cancerogenic parasites in veterinary medicine: a narrative literature review

“…Combined infection with bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) and T. annulata was documented in a 6-month-old calf with a diagnosis of lymphoma [ 288 ]. Pleomorphic lymphoblasts were seen in swollen lymph nodes, heart, and omentum.…”

“…Pleomorphic lymphoblasts were seen in swollen lymph nodes, heart, and omentum. The authors claim that whereas BLV infection primarily affects adult cattle, its occurrence in a calf could be attributed to concurrent Theileria infection, which may have hastened the neoplastic transformation brought on by the retrovirus [ 288 ].…”