How can protozoan parasites affect livestock and other food animals?

Protozoan parasites can significantly impact livestock health, primarily through diseases such as theileriasis. This group of diseases is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Theileria and is transmitted to animals through tick bites.1

The severity of these infections varies by species and region:
* East Coast fever: Caused by T. parva, this is a highly serious disease in cattle that can result in mortality rates of 90–100 percent in Africa.1
* Tropical theileriasis: Caused by T. annulata, this is generally a milder form of the disease affecting cattle in the Middle East and along the Mediterranean.1
* Sheep and goats: These animals can also be affected by theileriases, though the resulting diseases are typically mild.1

Management strategies to mitigate the impact of these protozoan parasites focus on the elimination of ticks to reduce transmission, as well as the use of drug therapy for infected animals. It is important to note that while other medications like ivermectin are used to treat various parasitic infections in livestock, they are primarily effective against worms and arthropods rather than protozoan parasites.12