Department of Parasite Vaccine Research and Production, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.
Department of Poultry Diseases, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.
Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports. 2024 Nov;56:101131. doi: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.101131. Epub 2024 Oct 9.
This study aimed to identify the diversity of Babesia and Theileria species in sheep across various regions of Iran using microscopic and molecular techniques, including species-specific PCR and enzymatic digestion. A total of 373 blood samples were collected from sheep during the tick vector activity period, from 2018 to 2021, in provinces such as Tehran, Alborz, Qazvin, Hamedan, West Azerbaijan, Kerman, and Fars. Results showed that 101 samples (27 %) exhibited piroplasms including 78 samples of Theileria spp. and 23 samples of Babesia spp. A molecular approach using general primers detected piroplasm parasites in 145 samples (38 %). Theileria ovis was notably present in 91 samples (24.39 %), followed by Theileria lestoquardi in 24 samples (6.43 %). Babesia ovis infection was detected in 30 samples (8.4 %). Despite extensive molecular evaluation, no other Babesia species, including Babesia motasi, were identified. Co-infections involving T. ovis and T. lestoquardi (4 samples; 1.07 %) and T. ovis and B. ovis (6 samples; 1.60 %) were observed. No Babesia spp. were detected in Kerman and Fars provinces, although T. ovis and T. lestoquardi were present. Blast analysis of the sequences indicated 100 % intra-species similarity, with inter-species similarities of 83.3 % (B. ovis and T. lestoquardi), 84.4 % (B. ovis and T. ovis), and 96.44 % (T. ovis and T. lestoquardi). In conclusion, B. ovis was the main cause of Babesiosis, while Theileriosis was predominantly attributed to T. ovis and T. lestoquardi. Molecular diagnostics play a key role in accurately distinguishing between these species, particularly in cases of co-infection involving Babesia spp. and Theileria spp.
本研究旨在利用显微镜和分子技术，包括种特异性 PCR 和酶消化，鉴定伊朗不同地区绵羊中的巴贝西虫和泰勒虫物种多样性。在 2018 年至 2021 年期间，在德黑兰、阿尔博兹、加兹温、哈马丹、西阿塞拜疆、克尔曼和法尔斯等省份，在蜱虫活动期间从绵羊身上采集了 373 份血液样本。结果表明，101 份（27%）样本显示出梨形虫，其中 78 份为泰勒虫属，23 份为巴贝斯虫属。使用通用引物的分子方法在 145 份样本（38%）中检测到梨形虫寄生虫。牛泰勒虫明显存在于 91 份样本（24.39%）中，其次是莱氏泰勒虫存在于 24 份样本（6.43%）中。检测到 30 份绵羊巴贝斯虫感染（8.4%）。尽管进行了广泛的分子评估，但未鉴定出其他巴贝斯虫物种，包括巴贝斯虫摩氏体。观察到 T.ovis 和 T.lestoquardi（4 份；1.07%）以及 T.ovis 和 B.ovis（6 份；1.60%）的合并感染。在克尔曼和法尔斯省没有检测到巴贝斯虫属，但存在 T.ovis 和 T.lestoquardi。序列的 Blast 分析表明，100%为种内相似性，种间相似性为 83.3%（B.ovis 和 T.lestoquardi）、84.4%（B.ovis 和 T.ovis）和 96.44%（T.ovis 和 T.lestoquardi）。总之，B.ovis 是巴贝斯虫病的主要原因，而泰勒虫病主要归因于 T.ovis 和 T.lestoquardi。分子诊断在准确区分这些物种方面发挥着关键作用，特别是在涉及巴贝斯虫属和泰勒虫属合并感染的情况下。
