Background: Caprine theileriosis is a tick-borne hemoprotozoan disease that induces variable immune responses depending on infection stage. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) play critical roles in host defense and disease progression. This study aimed to quantify the relative expression levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ in goats with acute theileriosis compared with chronic cases using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). Total RNA was extracted from EDTA blood samples, reverse transcribed to cDNA, and analyzed by SYBR Green-based RT-qPCR. Expression levels were normalized to GAPDH as a housekeeping gene. Relative quantification was calculated using the comparative ΔΔCt method. Statistical comparison between groups was performed using independent t-test. TNF-α expression was significantly upregulated in acute theileriosis (1.098 ± 0.069-fold) compared with chronic cases (0.704 ± 0.052-fold) (P < 0.01). IFN-γ expression was also significantly elevated in acute infection (1.772 ± 0.261-fold) relative to chronic cases (1.097 ± 0.147-fold) (P < 0.05). Amplification efficiencies were consistent with successful normalization using GAPDH. These findings indicate stronger pro-inflammatory immune activation during acute infection. Acute caprine theileriosis is associated with significant upregulation of TNF-α and IFN-γ, suggesting an intensified Th1-mediated immune response compared with chronic infection.
Turki,S Sami and Ali,M Jadaan. (2026). Differential Expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ in Acute and Chronic Caprine Theileriosis: A Quantitative RT-qPCR Study. Al-Qadisiyah Journal of Veterinary Medicine Sciences, 25(1), 121-127. doi: 10.29079/qjvms.2026.170450.1176
MLA
Turki,S Sami, and Ali,M Jadaan. "Differential Expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ in Acute and Chronic Caprine Theileriosis: A Quantitative RT-qPCR Study", Al-Qadisiyah Journal of Veterinary Medicine Sciences, 25, 1, 2026, 121-127. doi: 10.29079/qjvms.2026.170450.1176
HARVARD
Turki S Sami, Ali M Jadaan. (2026). 'Differential Expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ in Acute and Chronic Caprine Theileriosis: A Quantitative RT-qPCR Study', Al-Qadisiyah Journal of Veterinary Medicine Sciences, 25(1), pp. 121-127. doi: 10.29079/qjvms.2026.170450.1176
CHICAGO
S Sami Turki and M Jadaan Ali, "Differential Expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ in Acute and Chronic Caprine Theileriosis: A Quantitative RT-qPCR Study," Al-Qadisiyah Journal of Veterinary Medicine Sciences, 25 1 (2026): 121-127, doi: 10.29079/qjvms.2026.170450.1176
VANCOUVER
Turki S Sami, Ali M Jadaan. Differential Expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ in Acute and Chronic Caprine Theileriosis: A Quantitative RT-qPCR Study. QJVMS. 2026;25(1):121-127. doi: 10.29079/qjvms.2026.170450.1176
