Theileriosis in a captive Indian Gaur Bos gaurus: a rare encounter

Authors

  • Kaushal Kumar Department of Veterinary Pathology, Bihar Veterinary College, Bihar Animal Sciences University, Patna, Bihar 800014, India.
  • Vishal Kumar Sinha Department of Veterinary Pathology, Bihar Veterinary College, Bihar Animal Sciences University, Patna, Bihar 800014, India. https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8765-1485
  • Deepak Kumar Department of Veterinary Pathology, Bihar Veterinary College, Bihar Animal Sciences University, Patna, Bihar 800014, India.
  • Imran Ali Department of Veterinary Pathology, Bihar Veterinary College, Bihar Animal Sciences University, Patna, Bihar 800014, India.
  • Ramesh Tiwary Department of Veterinary Suregry & Radiology, Bihar Veterinary College, Bihar Animal Sciences University, Patna, Bihar 800014, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2176-1776
  • Pankaj Kumar Bihar Veterinary College BASU Patna Bihar India
  • Amit Kumar Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, Patna, Bihar 800001, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.10124.18.5.28894-28899

Keywords:

Abomasum, anorexia, histopathology, Koch blue bodies, liver, lymph node, lymphoadenopathy, petechial haemorrhages, Polymerase Chain Reaction, zoo animal

Abstract

This study describes fatal theileriosis in two captive Indian Gaurs Bos gaurus housed at Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, Patna, Bihar, India. Both animals exhibited high fever, anorexia, lethargy, congested mucous membranes, subcutaneous haemorrhages and enlarged lymph nodes and subsequently succumbed to the disease. Post-mortem examination revealed enlarged lymph nodes, characteristic punched-out abomasal ulcers and petechial haemorrhages in multiple visceral organs. Diagnosis was confirmed by detection of Koch’s blue bodies in lymph node smears, histopathological lesions consistent with Theileria infection and PCR analysis. The findings highlight the occurrence of severe, fatal theileriosis in captive gaur and emphasize the need for timely diagnosis and effective control measures in zoological settings.

Author Biography

  • Pankaj Kumar, Bihar Veterinary College BASU Patna Bihar India

    Professor, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Bihar Veterinary College, BASU, Patna, Bihar

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Published

26-05-2026

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 5 (2026)

Section

Communications

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Copyright (c) 2026 Kaushal Kumar, Vishal Kumar Sinha, Deepak Kumar, Imran Ali, Ramesh Tiwary, Pankaj Kumar, Amit Kumar

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