Molecular epidemiology of Theileria parva in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: implications for the introduction of the Muguga cocktail vaccine against East Coast Fever.
9 affiliations
- 1Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
- 2Centre for Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases, Lilongwe, Malawi. [email protected].
- 3College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. [email protected].
- 4International Development Research Centre, Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office, Nairobi, Kenya.
- 5Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, The Catholic University of Graben, Butembo, North Kivu Province, République Démocratique du Congo.
- 6Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
- 7Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
- 8The Vaccine Group, Ltd, Sandwich, England, UK.
- 9LMK Medical Laboratories and Consultancies, Kampala, Uganda.
Abstract
Background
East Coast Fever (ECF) is one of the most economically important tick-borne diseases of cattle in Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa, caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite Theileria parva (T. parva). This study investigated the seroprevalence and genetic diversity of T. parva populations in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to inform immunization strategies against ECF. A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2012 and January 2013 in three provinces of eastern DRC (North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri) to assess the seroprevalence and confirm the presence of T. parva in cattle. Blood samples from 31 villages across different agro-ecological zones were analyzed using the PIM ELISA, and ELISA-positive samples were further screened by p104 PCR. An immunization and field challenge trial using the Muguga cocktail vaccine was conducted with 100 seronegative cattle. Molecular characterization of samples collected from the sentinel, immunized, and control groups was performed by sequencing the p67, Tp1, and Tp2 genes and conducting microsatellite genotyping. Data were analyzed using MEGA, DnaSP, GenAIEx, FSTAT, and LIAN to determine genetic variation, population structure, and linkage equilibrium among T. parva isolates.Results
Of the 756 serum samples analyzed, 27.5% tested positive for T. parva antibodies by ELISA, with Ituri showing the highest seroprevalence and North Kivu the lowest. PCR confirmed T. parva DNA in 87.5% of ELISA-positive samples. Sentinel cattle exposed in Kabasha village developed severe ECF, confirming high transmission pressure, and were used to establish the immunization and challenge site. Vaccination with the Muguga cocktail induced seroconversion in 94% of cattle, with 46.5% surviving field challenge. Sequence analysis of p67, Tp1, and Tp2 genes revealed limited clustering with Muguga strains and high polymorphism, particularly in Tp2 (13.2%). Microsatellite genotyping detected substantial allelic diversity and population sub-structuring, with unique alleles predominant across loci (Fst = 0.118).Conclusion
This study revealed high and variable T. parva seroprevalence across eastern DRC, with genetic analyses indicating the coexistence of Muguga-like and distinct local parasite populations. The low survival rate in immunized cattle highlights limitations of the Muguga cocktail against field strains. These findings highlight the presence of diverse T. parva populations and emphasize the need for continuous genetic monitoring and tailored vaccine strategies to enhance ECF control in the region.
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BibTeX
@article{muleya2026molecular,
title = {{Molecular epidemiology of Theileria parva in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: implications for the introduction of the Muguga cocktail vaccine against East Coast Fever.}},
author = {Walter Muleya and David Kalenzi Atuhaire and Simbuwa Mulonga and Victor Mbao and Kalume Moise Kasereka and Kambale Mbusa Héritier and Boniface Namangala and Jeremy Salt and Anthony Jim Musoke},
journal = {BMC veterinary research},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12917-026-05759-3},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968104},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Molecular epidemiology of Theileria parva in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: implications for the introduction of the Muguga cocktail vaccine against East Coast Fever.
AU - Walter Muleya
AU - David Kalenzi Atuhaire
AU - Simbuwa Mulonga
AU - Victor Mbao
AU - Kalume Moise Kasereka
AU - Kambale Mbusa Héritier
AU - Boniface Namangala
AU - Jeremy Salt
AU - Anthony Jim Musoke
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/03
JO - BMC veterinary research
DO - 10.1186/s12917-026-05759-3
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968104
AB - Background East Coast Fever (ECF) is one of the most economically important tick-borne diseases of cattle in Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa, caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite Theileria parva (T. parva). This study investigated the seroprevalence and genetic diversity of T. parva populations in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to inform immunization strategies against ECF. A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2012 and January 2013 in three provinces of eastern DRC (North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri) to assess the seroprevalence and confirm the presence of T. parva in cattle. Blood samples from 31 villages across different agro-ecological zones were analyzed using the PIM ELISA, and ELISA-positive samples were further screened by p104 PCR. An immunization and field challenge trial using the Muguga cocktail vaccine was conducted with 100 seronegative cattle. Molecular characterization of samples collected from the sentinel, immunized, and control groups was performed by sequencing the p67, Tp1, and Tp2 genes and conducting microsatellite genotyping. Data were analyzed using MEGA, DnaSP, GenAIEx, FSTAT, and LIAN to determine genetic variation, population structure, and linkage equilibrium among T. parva isolates.Results Of the 756 serum samples analyzed, 27.5% tested positive for T. parva antibodies by ELISA, with Ituri showing the highest seroprevalence and North Kivu the lowest. PCR confirmed T. parva DNA in 87.5% of ELISA-positive samples. Sentinel cattle exposed in Kabasha village developed severe ECF, confirming high transmission pressure, and were used to establish the immunization and challenge site. Vaccination with the Muguga cocktail induced seroconversion in 94% of cattle, with 46.5% surviving field challenge. Sequence analysis of p67, Tp1, and Tp2 genes revealed limited clustering with Muguga strains and high polymorphism, particularly in Tp2 (13.2%). Microsatellite genotyping detected substantial allelic diversity and population sub-structuring, with unique alleles predominant across loci (Fst = 0.118).Conclusion This study revealed high and variable T. parva seroprevalence across eastern DRC, with genetic analyses indicating the coexistence of Muguga-like and distinct local parasite populations. The low survival rate in immunized cattle highlights limitations of the Muguga cocktail against field strains. These findings highlight the presence of diverse T. parva populations and emphasize the need for continuous genetic monitoring and tailored vaccine strategies to enhance ECF control in the region.
SN - 1746-6148
ER -