Abstract

Tropical theileriosis (Theileria annulata infection) is a protozoan disease of cattle transmitted by Hyalomma ticks. This parasite is causing high losses in several countries in South Europe, North Africa and Asia. Indeed, both symptomatic and subclinical forms are present in infected animals causing live weight decrease, milk yield decrease, abortions and in some cases death. Due to its high medical and financial impact, the control of this disease is of paramount importance. It can be implemented through five control measures: (i) treatment of infected animals with theilericidal drugs and other symptomatic treatments (this option is used for the treatment of animals and is insufficient to eradicate the parasite), (ii) use of acaricides in animals which contain several side effects for humans, animals and the environment, (iii) roughcasting and smoothing of the outer and inner surfaces of the cattle buildings for endophilic tick species (this control option is expensive but leads to the eradication of the parasite from the farm), (iv) vaccination against ticks, a control option used with success against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) species but not still available for Hyalomma ticks and (v) vaccination against the parasite with live attenuated vaccines. These control options were presented in the paper and their advantages and limits were discussed. The implementation of one (or more) of these control options should take into account other considerations (social, political, etc.); they sometimes cause the failure of the control action.

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