Molecular Sequencing of Theileria lestoquardi in Iraqi Goats

Abstract

    This study was performed to molecular investigation of caprine theileriosis (Theileria lestoquardi), phylogenetic analysis of study isolates, and estimation association of infection to animal risk factors. Initially, venous blood was collected from totally 168 anaemic goats, tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the positive isolates were sequenced. Findings revealed 16.07% positive goats to T. lestoquardi, which increased significantly in goats aged ≥4 years compared to <1 and 1-3 years old, with lack of significance between female and male goats though risk in males was higher than females. Targeting 18S rRNA gene, phylogenetic analysis of study isolates with the NCBI-BLAST T. lestoquardi isolates / strains detected a high percentage of identity ranged 96.61-100% and mutation/changes at 0.01%. However, the study isolates were shown a significant identity with the NCBI-BLAST Iraqi T. lestoquardi isolate (GenBank ID: MN704657.1) at 99.13-100% and mutation/changes at 0.000168%. In conclusion, this might represent the first study in Wasit province suggesting the importance of furthermore molecular phylogenetic studies to indicate T. lestoquardi isolates circulate in small ruminants.