Iranian Veterinary Journal

Iranian Veterinary Journal

Molecular Detection of Tick-Borne Hemoparasites (Theileria, Babesia and Anaplasma) in Stray Dogs using Nested PCR

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Anas Hasan Hatthoot 1
Mousa Tavassoli 2
Mohamad Yakhchali 2
Ghassan Jabbar khalaf AL_Abedi 3
1 PhD Student of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University Urmia Iran
2 Professor, Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Urmia University Urmia Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Laboratories Techniques, Faculty of Health and Medical Techniques, University of Kut, Wasit, 52001, Iraq
10.22055/ivj.2025.551126.2854
Abstract
    Haemoparasitic infections are frequently observed in dogs from tropical regions, including Iraq. Numerous dogs become infected with several blood parasites, resulting in more serious diseases than a singular infection. This investigation was designed in Wasit Province, Iraq to conduct a comprehensive molecular detection and characterization of haemoparasites in Infested Dogs. This cross-sectional study was performed from the beginning of May 2024 to the end of December of 2024. Totally 280 stray dogs were examined in different areas in waist, Iraq. The blood sample were obtained from the jugular vein of infested dogs was used for both microscopic and molecular analysis. Thin blood smears were prepared, detected by giemsa staining and screened for piroplasms Babesia, Theileria and Anaplasma. Total DNA was extracted followed by nested PCR using primer targeting16S rRNA gene to detect for Anaplasma spp. and 18SrRNA for Babesia spp and Theilleria spp. PCR products were confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Nucleotide sequencing verified the authenticity of the amplified genes, whose sequences were compared with reference sequences of the 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA genes, and the isolate sequences from this work were posted in GenBank. A microscopic analysis of thin Diff-quick-stained blood smears identified big intra-erythrocytic Babesia sp., Theileria sp., and Anaplasma sp. in thirty four dogs. The PCR investigation revealed Anaplasma sp. in 77 dogs (27.5%), Babesia sp. in 55 dogs (19.6%), and Theileria sp. in 63 dogs (22.5%). The identification and similarity scores between the isolates of this investigation and the reference strains were 100% identical. The findings of this study indicate that stray dogs are reservoirs of Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., and Theileria spp., potentially playing a significant role in the epidemiology and dissemination of blood parasites, hence posing a substantial threat to the cattle industry.
Keywords
Iraq
Blood-Borne Parasites
Stray dog
Nested PCR assay

Subjects

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