Atypical theileriosis: cutaneous form in a cow and its therapeutic management

The present case reports an atypical form of theileriosis which is seldom seen in field condition. A 9-year-old cattle brought to veterinary hospital, teaching veterinary clinical complex of University with a history of multiple subcutaneous nodules (2–4 cm) on the upper half, fever and decreased milk production for the past 10 days. Detailed clinical examination revealed pale mucous membranes, enlargement of superficial lymph nodes and pyrexia. Fine needle aspiration cytology of swollen lymph nodes revealed an increased number of lymphoid cells. Haematology revealed mild anaemia, leucopenia and typical piroplasm in peripheral blood smear. DNA was extracted from the suspected blood sample which was subjected to PCR assay for diagnosis of theileriosis and lumpy skin disease. Blood PCR assay results showed sample positive for Theileria annulata and negative for lumpy skin disease virus. Specific treatment with buparvaquone at 2.5 mg/kg was given along with supportive treatment. Spontaneous clinical recovery and improvement in haematocrit was observed day 5 post therapy. In conclusion, in case of dermatological nodular skin lesion in cattle theileriosis should be considered as one of the tentative aetiology and differential diagnosis should be done with lumpy skin disease and lymphosarcoma.