Prevalence and Phylogenetic Analysis of Babesia ovis Isolated from Sheep and Goats in Erbil Province, Kurdistan Region- Iraq

Zuber I. Hassan, Department of Medical Laboratory Techniques, Shaqlawa Technical College, Erbil Polytechnic UniversityFollow

Corresponding Author

Zuber I. Hassan

Authors ORCID

0000-0002-4017-4342

Document Type

Research Article

Abstract

A total of 143 blood smears were obtained from sheep and goats (n = 98) and (n = 45), respectively, by jugular venipuncture between February 2019 and December 2019. Samples were examined for parasite occurrences. Results reveal that the prevalence of infection by the parasite was 12.24% and 11.11%, respectively (microscopically), while 20.41% sheep and 17.78% goats (molecular-based identification using 18S SSU rRNA sequence). Both methods revealed the specificity and sensitivity of the diagnostic assays. Phylogenetic analysis of Babesia ovis (MN309736-MN309745) displays that the pathogens identified in this study are clustered together, which indicating similar molecular characteristics. Overall, these results provide a better understanding that Babesiosis is highly prevalent in the study area and continuous monitoring of tick-borne pathogen in sheep and goats are essentially required in Erbil Province

Keywords

18S SSU rRNA, Babesiosis, Erbil province, Phylogeny, Tick-borne

How to Cite This Article

Hassan, Zuber I. (2020) "Prevalence and Phylogenetic Analysis of Babesia ovis Isolated from Sheep and Goats in Erbil Province, Kurdistan Region- Iraq," Polytechnic Journal: Vol. 10: Iss. 2, Article 15.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25156/ptj.v10n2y2020.pp98-104