Molecular study to detect the Eimeria species in sheep in Al-Diwaniyah province, Iraq

• Main Authors: Noora M. Majeed, Noaman N. Aaiz, Ahmed J. Neama
• Format: Article
• Language: Arabic
• Published: University of Mosul, College of Veterinary Medicine 2020-05-01
• Series: Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Sciences
• Subjects: eimeria; molecular; sheep; al-diwaniyah
• Online Access: https://vetmedmosul.com/article_164559_0ede1ecc822fb2cb474f392251382a0e.pdf
• ISSN: 1607-3894; 2071-1255

Sheep eimriosis is one of the most important and common disease which infects sheep in all ages but it is more effective in lambs. The diarrhea with or without blood is the main signs of infection. <em>Eimeria</em> protozoan required single host to complete its life cycle which pass in different stages including schizogony, gametogony and sporogony. The study was designed for detection of sheep <em>Eimeria</em> species through the molecular method. This study was conducted in Al-Diwanyah province during the winter months of 2019. In which 200 sheep fecal samples were collected and examined traditionally to investigate the <em>Eimeria</em> oocytsts. Ninety-seven samples of highly intensity infection with <em>Eimeria</em> oocysts were selected to subject for DNA extraction process. The extracted DNAs were tested through amplification of internal transcribed spacer 1 (<em>ITS-1</em>) gene by conventional PCR, and then phylogenetic analysis was made to diagnose the sheep <em>Eimeria</em> species. All samples that examined microscopically were showed positive results of infections with <em>Eimeria</em> protozoan. Out of 97 molecularly examined samples, forty-five (46.39%) were given positive result in conventional PCR technique, where <em>Eimeria</em> spp. detected through succeeded amplification of internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) gene. Then phylogenetic analysis referred to that there are five species of <em>Eimeria</em> confirmed in sheep in Al-Diwanyah province including 6 (33.33%) samples diagnosed as <em>E. ahsata</em>, 4 (22.22%) samples <em>E. weybridgensis</em>, 3 (16.66%) samples <em>E. ovinoidalis</em>, 3 (16.66%) samples <em>E. bovis</em> and 2 (11.11%) samples <em>E. auburnensis</em>. So, the <em>Eimeria</em> protozoan appears as an endemic parasite and can infect sheep with different species in study area. The sheep can infect with both specific and nonspecific species.