1. East Coast Fever
(Theileriosis)

2. Theileriosis are those tick-borne protozoan diseases associated with Theileria spp.
Th. Parva causes ECF in Cattle.
ECF -East Coast Fever.

3. Vector Rhipicephalus Spp. Hyalomma Spp.
Geographic Distribution The distribution of ECF is strictly associated with the distribution of the vector tick species. In the case of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, the area extends from southern Sudan to South Africa and as far west as Zaire.
Rhipicephalus Spp.
Hyalomma Spp.

4. Clinical Pictures
Swelling of the draining lymph node, usually the parotid.
Generalized lymphadenopathy.
Fever 40 – 41o C

6. Poor condition and severe lymphadenopathy in heifer

7. Lacrimation and opaque cornea

8. Dyspnea

9. Diarrhoea

10. Recumbency

11. Death usually within three weeks of infection

12. Jaundice in a horse’s eye
In case of Equine theileriosis (Horses) there is fever, anaemia, jaundice and haemoglobinuria.
Jaundice in a horse’s eye

13. Occasional cases of brain involvement occur and are characterized by circling, hence 'turning sickness' or cerebral theileriosis due to the presence of schizont in the cerebral capillaries.
Turning sickness: an aberrant form of theileriosis in which parasitized lymphocytes cause emboli and hemorrhagic infarcts in central nervous tissue.

14. At necropsy Splenic enlargement.
Severe pulmonary emphysema and edema along with hydrothorax and hydropericardium.
Generalized lymphoid hyperplasia.
Small lymphoid nodules (the so-called pseudo-infarcts) are present in liver, kidney, and alimentary track.
The carcass is emaciated and hemorrhages are evident in a variety of tissues and organs.

15. Hydropericardium (Fluids in the chest)
Emaciated Carcass
Kidney, There are multiple petechiae on the surface of the cortex. The lymph node near the hilus is markedly enlarged
Bovine, kidney. There are multiple petechiae on the surface of the cortex. The lymph node near the hilus is markedly enlarged.
Hydropericardium (Fluids in the chest)

16. Diagnosis
East Coast Fever only occurs where R. appendiculatus is present, although occasionally outbreaks such areas have been recorded due to the introduction of tick-infected cattle from an enzootic area.

17. Differential diagnosis
Heartwater because of pulmonary edema and hydrothorax. Examination of brain smears and lymph node or spleen impression smears can differentiate between the two diseases.
Trypanosomiasis because of edema, lymphadenopathy, and anemia. Blood and lymph node smear examination will normally differentiate between the two diseases.
Babesiosis and anaplasmosis because of anemia. These diseases can easily be differentiated from theileriosis on examination of blood smears.
Malignant catarrhal fever because of lymphadenopathy and corneal opacity. Examination of blood and lymph node smears will clearly differentiate between the two diseases.

18. Treatment
Tetracyclines have a therapeutic effect if given at the time of infection but they are of no value in the treatment of clinical cases.

19. Control Integrated approach involving resistant animal breeds.
Vaccination by infection.
Treatment.
Infect animal with the sporozoite form of the parasite while at the same time treating the cattle with an antibiotic drug to lessen the severity of the infection.

20. Strategic application of acaricides.

21. Dipping

23. Prepared by:
Onyango Ngoye