Prevalence and molecular identification of in camels in Iraq.

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Camels from the central part of Iraq are infected with multiple parasitic diseases that have an economic impact by decreasing meat and milk production. This study aimed to evaluate spp. in camels ().

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study animals consisted of camels slaughtered in the central area of Iraq at the Al-Najaf slaughterhouse. All ages and sexes of camels were examined. Worms were recovered and identified microscopically. For molecular characterization, two Iraqi spp. partial ribosomal genes (ITS1 and ITS2) were sequenced and submitted to the NCBI database.

RESULTS

Of 160 camels tested, 29 were infected with spp. (18.13%). Twenty-one nematodes containing the genes were identified in the small intestines of naturally infected camels. BLAST analysis revealed 88.1% sequence similarity with that of isolated in China and 87.2% similarity with isolated in the United States.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of warrants the use of anti-helminthic drugs for these animals and a rationale for future control strategies to prevent the transmission of this infection to other livestock.