Presence of Theileria annulata in Mauritania

A fatal case of bovine theileriosis by Theileria annulata is reported from Mauritania in a Friesian cow born in a dairy farm in Nouakchott. The farm was originally established with cattle imported from France. Specific diagnosis was based on piroplasm morphology and on high specific antibody titres in some of the animals. The only tick found in the herd was Hyalomma dromedarii. Four of 49 local zebus sampled at random in the south of the country had high specific antibody titres to T. annulata, while 14 had lower or doubtful titres. The infection therefore appears to be autochthonous.