Unveiling Hidden Threats: Molecular Detection and Genetic Diversity of Hepatozoon spp. and Toxoplasma Gondii in Wild Rodents of Saudi Arabia and Their Ectoparasites.

Abstract

PURPOSE: Present investigation was designed to report the PCR based presence of Hepatozoon spp., Plasmodium spp., Haemoproteus spp., Leucocytozoan spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum nd phylogenetic diversity of detected pathogens in the blood samples of four wild rodent species (Meriones rex, Acomys dimidiatus, Myomys yemeni and Rattus rattus). Ectoparasites infesting these rodents were also reported. METHODS: A total of 54 rodents and 365 ecto-parasites infesting them were collected during August till October 2020 from Al Makhwah governorate in Saudi Arabia. PCR-base approached was used for the detection of parasites in rodent bloods followed by their DNA sequence based confirmation and phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS: Hepatozoon spp. and T. gondii were detected by PCR in seven (13%), and one (2%) out of 54 analyzed rodents, respectively. Meriones rex and Myomys yemeni were found infected with Hepatozoon spp., while T. gondii was detected only in Myomys yemeni. Phylogenetic analysis of both pathogens showed that Saudi isolates were closely related to isolates previously reported from various countries worldwide. Ecto-parasites infesting three rodent species included ticks (Haemaphysalis and Rhipicephalus spp.), fleas (Parapulex chephrensis), mites (Laelaps echidninus) and lice. Myomys yemeni had no ecto-parasite infestation. Female Meriones rex was significantly more prone to Hepatozoon spp. infection than males. CONCLUSION: This is the first report that Saudi rodents are infected with Hepatozoon spp. and T. gondii. More large scale studies are recommended for the better understanding of the host-parasite interactions.