Nested polymerase chain reaction for detection of Theileria annulata and comparison with conventional diagnostic techniques: its use in epidemiology studies.

In this work we studied the ability of a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect Theileria annulata, the causative agent of Mediterranean theileriosis, in blood samples obtained from cattle on farms in different Spanish regions and its possible use in epidemiology studies. Of the 214 samples analyzed, 78.04%, 69.86%, and 62.26% were found to be positive by nested PCR, indirect immunofluorescent antibody test, and optical microscopy of Giemsa-stained smears, respectively. The three techniques were in agreement in 68.6% of the results. The observation that the prevalence of Mediterranean theileriosis estimated using nested PCR alone (70.3%) and that obtained using all three diagnostic techniques together (80.4%) did not significantly differ verifies the utility of this technique in epidemiology studies.