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Theileriosis is a protozoan parasite that is transmitted by ticks and infects a wide range of animals worldwide. This study aims to assess the molecular prevalence and related risk factors of theileriosis in Balochistan, Pakistan. Standard microscopy methods, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis were used. For this purpose, a total of 408 blood samples were collected from tick-infested cattle in Zhob, Loralai, and Quetta districts of Balochistan, Pakistan. Microscopy and subsequent PCR analysis confirmed the highest prevalence of Theileria annulata in Loralai district (11.76% and 12.75%), followed by Zhob district (11.27% and 12.25%), and Quetta district (8.34% and 9.56%), respectively. Moreover, the prevalence of T. annulata was higher in young cattle (85.82%), followed by female cattle (58.87%), and exotic crossbred cattle (33.33%) in the study area. However, various variable such as sex, area, and breeds of the cattle were not significantly correlated (P>0.05) with the presence of T. annulata, except for the age of animals (P |
