Document Type : Original Articles
Authors
1
Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran. & Abortion Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
2
Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
3
Abortion Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran. & Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
4
Abortion Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran. & Animal and Animal Products-borne Diseases Research Center, Iran Veterinary Organization (IVO), Tehran, Iran
5
Animal and Animal Products-borne Diseases Research Center, Iran Veterinary Organization (IVO), Tehran, Iran
10.32598/ARI.81.2.3683
Abstract
Introduction: Theileria and Babesia belong to a group of protozoan parasites known as Apicomplexa within the Piroplasmida order. Both Theileria and Babesia disrupt normal hematological functions in their respective hosts, causing hypoxia, anemia and systemic disease. Immunosuppressive effects associated with such infections may increase the susceptibility of pregnant animals to secondary infections and abortion. This study investigated the frequency of Theileria and Babesia infections in small ruminants with a new abortion evidence in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran.
Materials & Methods: The blood samples (n=373) were collected from 43 flocks of goats and sheep across nine cities of East-Azerbaijan Province during calving seasons (autumn and winter seasons 2023). Following DNA extraction from whole blood, a gradient polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method using the specific primers was employed to detect the Theileria and Babesia genomes.
Results: Molecular findings revealed the infection rates of 70.5% for Theileria and 8.5% for Babesia infections. Besides, the species identified in the positive samples included Theileria ovis (64.5%), Theileria lestoquardi (6%), and Babesia ovis (8.5%).
Conclusion: Taken together, the detection of Theileria and Babesia infections with a much higher rate, particularly during the autumn and winter, suggests that the resulting hypoxia and anemia, can play indirectly notable roles in the abortion of animals in this province. Thus, effective tick management strategies are critical to preventing these infections and protecting livestock health.
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