Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of Babesia caballi in domestic donkeys (Equus asinus) in Baghdad Zoo, Iraq

Badawi, N.M and Hussein, Z.S and Qasim, M.M and Al-Badrawi, T.Y and Alammi, S.S (2023) Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of Babesia caballi in domestic donkeys (Equus asinus) in Baghdad Zoo, Iraq. Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 37. pp. 135-140. ISSN 2071-1255

Text (Research Article) IJVS_Volume 37_Issue Supplement I-IV_Pages 135-140.pdf - Published Version Download (682kB)

Abstract

In Iraq, equine piroplasmosis is considered a severe haem-protozoan infection of Equidae caused by the tick-borne protozoa Babesia caballi. The present study collected blood samples (n = 70) of domestic donkeys from the Baghdad Zoo in the Al Zawra’a Gardens area, Baghdad, Iraq, from April to September 2018. The molecular method to detect B. caballi was based on partial amplification and sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene. Additionally, the haematologic parameters of all blood samples were also studied. The results of PCR products (540 bp) of the 18S rRNA gene showed that 65 blood samples (92.9%) were positive. The phylogenetic analysis of five sequences of samples (NCBI accession numbers: MN723600.1, MN723592.1, MN723851.1, MN723855.1, and MN723849.1) compared with global and neighbouring countries isolates revealed five separate clades with homology 99% in four samples. The results of haematologic parameters showed no statistically significant changes in blood values in infected and uninfected donkeys. The study concludes that donkeys are carriers of piroplasmosis and can be a reservoir and source of infection for other equids. This study is the first molecular report to confirm piroplasmosis in domestic donkeys in Iraq.

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