Molecular detection of Trypanosoma species in sheep and goats in Mosul city

Abstract

In this study, we examined blood samples of 385 sheep and goats of different ages, sexes, and sources under routine microscopic examination of the blood smear (wet, thin, thick, buffy coat layer smears) to detect <em>Trypanosoma</em>. Results show that 81 samples were positive. These samples are succumbed to the molecular detection of <em>Trypanosoma</em> and other species by the extraction of parasitic DNA this parasitic DNA is detected in samples using KIN1, KIN2, and AITSF, AITSR primers. After that, conventional polymerase chain reaction was applied, and the results showed that 81 samples had a positive reaction in using KIN1 and KIN2 primers, while the positive samples were 76 when using AITSF, AITSR primers. Moreover, results showed a high rate of infection in sheep as compared with goats using both pairs of primers and two species of <em>Trypanosoma</em> in sheep and goats. Molecular was recorded, which include <em>T. conglense</em> and <em>T. vivax</em>. Animals more than 1-2 years old group showed a high rate of infection as compared with other ages group, and females have recorded a high rate of infection as compared with males. According to the source of animals, imported animals showed a high infective rate compared to native ones. This study is the first recorded <em>Trypanosoma</em> species in small ruminants in Mosul city.