Molecular detection of Babesia spp in sheep and vector ticks in North Khorasan province, Iran

Babesiosis is an important tickborne disease in the sheep of Iran. A molecular study was carried out in North Khorasan province، Iran in 2010-2011، designed to identify Babesia spp. infection of both sheep and ticks. Ninety sheep from different flocks were clinically examined and blood samples were collected with ixodid ticks. The collected ticks were separated into 82 tick pools and the salivary glands were dissected out in 0. 85% (w/v) saline under a stereomicroscope. The blood and the salivary glands were examined using semi-nested PCR. Piroplasm infection was detected in 37 blood smears using microcopic examination while 80 blood samples were piroplasm positive in the first round of semi-nested PCR and Babesia ovis was only detected in 6 (6. 6%) of positive samples in the second round of semi-nested PCR. Of the 434 ticks that were collected، the most prevalent species was Rhipicephalus turanicus (69. 3%) followed by Hyalomma marginatum turanicum (18. 4%)، Dermacentor marginatus (6. 4%) and Rhipicephalus bursa (5. 7%). One pool of H. m. turanicum salivary glands and one pool of R. turanicus were infected with B. ovis. Based on these results، it is concluded that B. ovis has a low prevalence among the sheep of North Khorasan province and H. m. turanicum and R. turanicus may be the vectors of B. ovis in this area.