Molecular phylogenetic studies on clinical bovine piroplasmosis caused by benign Theileria in Shaanxi Province, China

A group of benign Theileria species, which are often referred to as T. orientalis/T. buffeli/T. sergenti group, has low pathogenicity in cattle. Herein, we report on Theileria spp. in cattle on a farm from China. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the major piroplasm surface protein gene sequences, we detected 6 genotypes that were categorized as Types 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 as well as an additional Type 9 genotype. The new epidemiological features of the T. orientalis/T. buffeli/T. sergenti parasites in China indicate a greater diversity in the genetics of these species than had been previously thought.