The first molecular investigation of Besnoitia besnoiti infections among cattle in Mosul, Iraq.

BACKGROUND: Bovine besnoitiosis (elephant skin disease) caused by Besnoitia besnoiti is a costly endemic disease in the Middle East, Asia, and tropical and subtropical Africa and is also emerging as a significant problem in Europe. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of B. besnoiti in blood and skin biopsies of cattle as well as evaluating the risk factors associated with the infection among cattle in Mosul, Iraq. METHODS AND RESULTS: To achieve this aim, four hundred and sixty apparently healthy cattle of different breeds, ages, and sexes were sampled from seven different locations in Mosul, Iraq. Blood and skin biopsies were carefully collected from each cattle, and these samples were subjected to molecular analysis. The detection of B. besnoiti was molecularly confirmed by the presence of 231 bp of ITS-1 in the rDNA gene of the protozoan. Besnoitia besnoiti DNA was present in 74 (16.09%; 95% CI = 13.01-19.72) and 49 (10.65%; 95% CI = 8.15-13.80) of the blood and skin biopsies, respectively, that were analyzed. Age, breed, and sex were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the occurrence of B. besnoiti among cattle in the study area. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study will serve as baseline data in the epidemiology, prevention, and control of the protozoan among cattle in Iraq.

Prevalence of Taenia ovis (sheep measles) in small ruminants slaughtered by unlicensed butchers in Iraq capital city.

This study was aimed at investigating the prevalence of Taenia ovis (sheep measles) in sheep and goats among the unlicensed butcher's settings in Bagdad, Iraq. A total of 1194 sheep comprising 798 males and 396 females were inspected and out of these 41 and 17 (5.1 and 4.2%) were positive of T. ovis respectively. In goat a total of 162 comprising 122 males and 40 females were inspected out of which 39 and 19 (31.9 and 47.5%) were positive for T. ovis for male and female respectively. In this study, the prevalence of T. ovis in sheep of <18 months of age (5.3%) was higher as compared to those in sheep of over 18 months of age (4.9%), the prevalence of T. ovis was higher in male sheep (5.1%) as compared to the female sheep (4.2%). The trend of the prevalence of this parasite in goats was different from what was obtained in sheep, in this case the prevalence was higher in female goats as compared to male goats. Also the prevalence of T. ovis was significantly higher in older goats as compared to younger goats. For the breed the trend was similar to that of sheep where the local breed harbored more of T. ovis as compared to the imported breeds. Our results suggest that the high prevalence of the T. ovis infestations in the unlicensed butcher's settings is of great concern for public health, therefore authorities are to design a preventive program to curtail this problem.

Molecular detection and prevalence of human-pathologic Enterocytozoon bieneusi among pet birds in Mosul, Iraq.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi has been classified as an emerging infectious organism (microsporidium) due to the global increase in the number of cases infecting both humans and animals. The goal of this study was to use the polymerase chain reaction method to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with E. bieneusi infection among pet birds in Mosul, Iraq. Faecal samples from a total of six hundred and twenty-eight pet birds belonging to fifteen (15) different species were analyzed by targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the rRNA gene. Of the total number of pet birds sampled, 203 tested positive for the parasite, representing 32.32% (95% CI = 28.75-36.06) of the sampled population. There was a significant difference (p < 0.01) in the prevalence of E. bieneusi infection among the different species of pet birds, with the highest prevalence recorded among Eurasian bullfinches (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) (64.06%; 95% CI = 55.48-72.02), budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) (48.72%; 95% CI = 40.93-56.55), Fischer's lovebirds (Agapornis fischeri) (25.00%; 95% CI = 13.45-40.05), and macaws parrots (Ara ararauna) (25.00%; 95% CI = 1.25-75.77). The order, source, and health status of pet birds were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the prevalence of E. bieneusi infection among pet birds in Mosul, Iraq. In conclusion, the level of prevalence of E. bieneusi among pet birds may increase the risk of infection for owners of pet birds in Iraq.

Detection of African swine fever virus in pigs in Southwest Nigeria.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Nigeria experienced repeated outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF) in pig herds between 1997 and 2005 in the southwest region of the country. ASF is believed to currently be enzootic in this region. The status of enzootic transmission of ASF virus strain to pigs is; however, unknown. Twenty-three genotypes of the ASF virus based on the p72 gene are found across Africa. This study aimed to identify the current circulating field strain(s) of the ASF virus in Southwest Nigeria and characterized evolutionary trends. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DNA samples were extracted from 144 pooled blood samples obtained from 2012 to 2013 following the manufacturer's instructions. DNA was used for conventional polymerase chain reaction using primers targeting the p72 gene and amplified products sequenced with Sanger's sequencing. Sequences were analyzed for homology and phylogenetic relationships. RESULTS: Eleven of 144 samples (7.6%) showed bands at 950 bp. A new field strain of ASF virus of genotype I that shared ancestry with ASF virus strains or isolates from Spain and Brazil was identified among pig herds. The new strain differs phylogenetically in amino acid composition compared with previously identified ASF virus field strains. CONCLUSION: The currently circulating field strain of ASF virus suggests a mutation responsible for decreased morbidity and mortality recorded in sporadic cases.

The molecular prevalence, distribution and risk factors associated with Babesia bigemina infection in Peninsular Malaysia.

Babesia bigemina is a tick-borne protozoan that affects cattle in almost all regions of the world. Despite its importance, there is no report of its prevalence in cattle using molecular detection methods in Peninsular Malaysia. This study describes the prevalence, distribution, and risk factors associated with B. bigemina infection using molecular diagnostic methods. Also, the species of ticks infesting cattle and the attitude of cattle farmers towards tick control in Peninsular Malaysia were studied. Blood samples were collected from 1045 cattle from 43 herds throughout the country, and were subjected to molecular studies to detect B. bigemina. Tick samples for entomological studies were also collected and identified. Epidemiological information of each cattle and farm were obtained using a well-structured questionnaire containing open-ended and closed-ended questions. Data were statistically analyzed using Univariate and Multivariate models. The 211-base pair of AMA-1 gene of B. bigemina was amplified and confirmed in 30.5 % (319/1045; 95 % CI = 27.8-33.4) of the sampled population, with the haemoprotozoan detected in all the sampled herds. Breed, age, physiological status, management type, rate of de-ticking, and closeness to human settlement were the risk factors significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the prevalence of B. bigemina in cattle. Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Haemaphysalis bispinosa were the species of ticks collected from cattle, with the former been more prevalent. A large number of cattle farmers (12/43; 28 %) do not control ticks in their herds. The findings of this study will create baseline data on the epidemiology of the haemoprotozoan and control patterns of its tick vectors that will guide the government in enacting policies that will improve food security and the economy of the nation.

Clinical signs, prevalence, and hematobiochemical profiles associated with Anaplasma infections in sheep of North Iraq.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Anaplasma infection is a worldwide prevalent condition that causes significant economic losses in affected flocks. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and clinical signs associated with ovine anaplasmosis as well as the hematological and biochemical changes associated with the disease in natural infection in North Iraq. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 420 sheep were appropriately examined, and the clinical signs were documented accordingly. Blood samples were collected and subjected to parasitological, hematological, and biochemical analyses. RESULTS: Anaplasma-infected sheep displayed the following clinical signs: Paleness of the mucous membrane, bloody diarrhea, emaciation, pyrexia, jaundice, nasal discharge, coughing, loss of wool, nervous signs, hemoglobinuria, and lacrimation. The prevalence of Anaplasma infection was 66.19%, and female sheep were significantly (p<0.05) more infected than male sheep. The hematological and biochemical parameters were significantly different between Anaplasma-positive and Anaplasma-negative sheep. CONCLUSION: Anaplasma infection among sheep is a significant concern in North Iraq considering its prevalence, clinical signs, and hematological and biochemical findings, which entirely causes significant debilitating effects on sheep productivity. It is important to pay more attention toward managing tick infestation among sheep to reduce the occurrence of this rickettsial disease for a more robust livestock sector of the Iraqi economy.

Molecular detection, prevalence and risk factors of Theileria orientalis infection among cattle in Peninsular Malaysia.

There is need to confirm the presence of Theileria orientalis among the cattle population in Peninsular Malaysia and to evaluate the risk factors associated with the infection. To this effect, blood samples were collected from 1045 cattle from 43 farms throughout the entire States of Peninsular Malaysia. The collected blood samples were subjected to DNA extraction and subsequent PCR amplification of the major piroplasm surface protein (MPSP) gene of the haemoprotozoan. Representative positive amplicons were purified, sequenced and compared with other sequences of the MPSP gene of T. orientalis curated from the GenBank. A well-structured questionnaire was used to get information about each cattle, it's demography, the bio-security, environmental and management factors. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used for the statistical evaluation, with significance set at p < 0.05. A total prevalence of 49.76% (520/1045; 95% CI: 46.73 - 52.79) was obtained. Types of breeds, age, production type, herd size, level of farm biosecurity, farm size, presence of other animal species in the farm, management systems and prophylaxis were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the prevalence of T. orientalis. This study confirmed the presence of T. orientalis and establish that the haemoprotozoan is endemic among cattle in Peninsular Malaysia.

Dataset on the diversity and distribution of biting flies collected from cattle farms in Peninsular Malaysia.

This dataset investigated the diversity, the geographic and spatial distribution of haematophagous flies collected from cattle farms in Peninsular Malaysia. Biting flies were trapped from 25 cattle farms over a one-year period. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to establish the presence/absence of statistical differences in the number of flies caught in relation to the different geographic distributions (zones). Three thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine haematophagous flies comprising of 36 different species, including Musca species (3189; 82.0%), Stomoxys species (588; 15.1%), Tabanus species (58; 1.5%), Chrysops species (19; 0.5%), Haematopota javana (3; 0.1%), Haematobosca species (29; 0.7%) and Haematobia exigua (3; 0.1%) were collected using three different types of fly traps. More biting flies were trapped in the southwest (1070; 27.5%) and south (1045; 26.9%) zones compared to other arbitrary zones of Peninsular Malaysia. Haematophagous flies were spatially distributed both in the inland and coastal parts of the country. The difference in the catch of Stomoxys species within zones was not significant (F = 1.299; df = 5; p = 0.306), although it was highest in the southwest zone. The number of Musca species caught was highest in the south zone compared to other zones, the differences was not significant (F = 0.770; df = 5; p = 0.583). Tabanidae fly species were most abundant in the southwest zone, the differences among zones was not significant (F = 1.179; df = 5; p = 0.356).

Molecular Prevalence and Epidemiology of Trypanosoma evansi Among Cattle in Peninsular Malaysia.

BACKGROUND: Animal trypanosomiasis (Surra) caused by Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi) is known to be one of the important haemoprotozoan parasites that causes great economical loss on animal production due to mortality and loss of condition. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors associated with T. evansi infection among cattle in Peninsular Malaysia. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed on 1045 blood samples collected from 43 farms. A well-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on risk factors associated with T. evansi prevalence. The RoTat 1.2 set of primers was used to amplify products of 205 base pair. RESULTS: The overall prevalence was found to be 17.9% (187/1045; 95% CI = 15.66-20.31). Trypanosoma evansi was detected among cattle in all the States of Peninsular Malaysia. Breeds of cattle and closeness to waste area, where the risk factors significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the PCR positivity of T. evansi among cattle in Peninsular Malaysia. CONCLUSION: This appears to be the first time a comprehensive survey on the prevalence and risk factors of T. evansi infection in cattle using molecular tools is been carried out in the entire states of Peninsular Malaysia. The findings from this study will provide baseline information on the molecular prevalence of the haemoflagellate and its associated risk factors among cattle for an improved beef and dairy production in Peninsular Malaysia.

Prevalence and climatic influence on hemoparasites of cattle and sheep in Mosul, Iraq.

OBJECTIVE: Hemoparasitism is a condition commonly found in animals and it exerts negatively on the health, production, reproduction, and performance of the affected animals. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of different hemoparasites affecting cattle and sheep in Mosul, Iraq, and to deduce the effect of climatic factors on the occurrence of these hemoparasites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples from cattle and sheep that were submitted to the Parasitology Laboratory of the Veterinary Hospital of Ninavah between 2008 and 2018 were examined for the presence of blood parasites using the thin blood smear preparation. Data were analyzed using percentages (%), tabulations, and graphs. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to measure the strength of association between the occurrence of hemoparasites of cattle/sheep and each climatic variable. RESULTS: Anaplasma spp. Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. were the hemoparasites detected among cattle and sheep in the study, with Theileria spp. been the most prevalent among cattle, while Anaplasma spp. was the most prevalent among sheep. There was no distinct pattern in the yearly and monthly prevalence of these hemoparasites among cattle and sheep. Rainfall and relative humidity negatively influenced the occurrence of hemoparasites infections, while temperature favored their occurrences. CONCLUSION: This study appears to be the first to evaluate the correlation between climatic variables and the prevalence of hemoparasites of cattle and sheep in Mosul, Iraq. Climatic variables influenced the abundance of hemoparasites of cattle and sheep in the study area. The outcome of this study will add to the existing knowledge on the effect of climatic factors on the occurrence of parasitic diseases of ruminants in Middle East.

Epidemiology and risk factors associated with Anaplasma marginale infection of cattle in Peninsular Malaysia.

Bovine anaplasmosis is a major concern to cattle farming in most parts of the world. Anaplasmosis negatively impacts the profitability of cattle farming by reducing the production, reproduction, and draft ability of cattle. Here, we report results from a one-year cross sectional study to determine the epidemiology and the risk factors for Anaplasma marginale infection of cattle in Peninsular Malaysia. Examination of one thousand and forty five blood samples of apparently healthy cattle from forty-three farms in all the states of Peninsular Malaysia by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay revealed an overall prevalence of A. marginale infection of cattle of 72.6%, showing high endemicity of this heamoprotozoan among cattle in the country. Cattle breeds, production type, herd owner, herd size, management system, farm size, farm age, prophylactic treatment against blood parasites, presence of ticks, frequency of deticking, zones, closeness to forest, closeness to waste area, closeness to human settlement and closeness to body of water were the risk factors significantly associated (P < 0.05) with the detection of A. marginale in cattle. Results of this first molecular study on the epidemiology and risk factors for A. marginale infection of cattle from all the states of Peninsular Malaysia suggest policies and strategies for the prevention and control of the parasite to improve profitability of cattle farming in the country.

Molecular characterization and phylogeny of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) from imported beef meat in Malaysia.

This study aimed at determining the presence and characterization of Escherichia coli and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) from imported frozen beef meats. Seventy-four (74) frozen imported beef meat samples from two countries, India (42 samples) and Australia (32 samples), were collected and tested for E. coli. These samples were purchased from the frozen meat sections of five different supermarkets in different locations in Selangor, Malaysia, from April 2012 to October 2014. A total of 222 E. coli strains were isolated from the meat samples; 126 strains were isolated from country A (India), and 96 E. coli strains were from country of origin B (Australia), respectively. A total of 70 E. coli strains were identified and characterized. All E. coli strains were isolated into Fluorocult medium and identified using API 20E kit. All selected E. coli strains were characterized for Shiga toxin genes (stx1 and stx2). All biochemically identified E. coli in this study were further subjected to molecular detection through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and characterization using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. Of the 70 E. coli strains, 11 strains were positive for both Shiga toxin genes (stx1 and stx2) and 11 (11/70) strains were positive for stx1 gene, while 25 (25/70) strains were positive for stx2 gene. The analysis of 16S rRNA gene of all the E. coli isolates in this study was successfully sequenced and analyzed, and based on sequence data obtained, a phylogenetic tree of the 16S rRNA gene was performed using Clustal W programme in MEGA 6.06 software. Phylogenetic tree showed that the E. coli isolates in our study cluster with the strain of E. coli isolated in other countries, which further confirm that the isolates of E. coli in this study are similar to those obtained in other studies. As a result, all the strains obtained in this study proved to be a strain of pathogenic E. coli, which may cause a serious outbreak of food-borne disease. The isolation of pathogenic E. coli strains from the imported meat samples calls for prudent management of imported meats by the relevant authorities.

Linguatula serrata (Porocephalida: Linguatulidae) Infection among Client-Owned Dogs in Jalingo, North Eastern Nigeria: Prevalence and Public Health Implications.

Pentastomiasis is a parasitic zoonosis endemic to western and central Africa. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and public health implications of Linguatulosis in client-owned dogs in Jalingo, North Eastern Nigeria. Seven hundred and seventy seven (777) dogs brought for treatment at the hospital were subjected to buccal (sublingual) examination for pentastomiasis. Parameters such as age, sex, and breeds were determined. Also, the months of the year were taken into consideration. An overall prevalence of 37.45% was recorded. Of the 477 dogs examined in 2010, 184 were positive representing prevalence of 38.57% and in 2011 107 were positive representing prevalence of 35.67%. The infection was higher in the male than in the female which does not differ significantly (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference between sexes (P > 0.05). However, significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed between breeds and age of dogs examined. Season did not have much influence on the prevalence of Linguatulosis. The high prevalence of Linguatulosis in dogs and other animals found in this study highlights the need of improving preventative measures to reduce the rate of infection, which may pose a hazard to human health.