Molecular identification of Babesia spp in sheep and goat in Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran

Babesia is one of the most important haemoparasites protozoa in tropical and subtropical parts of the world. Babesiosis is caused by different species of the genus Babesia, which infects a variety of vertebrates including domestic and wild animals and humans. Babesia motasi and Babisia ovis have been known as Pathogenic and common species in sheep and goats in Iran, also sometimes mixed infection has been reported in one host. In Iran, annually, Babesia causes heavy losses in sheep in warm seasons of the year, especially in late spring. Due to the serious problems of animal husbandry caused by Babesiosis in many parts of Iran, the aim of this study has been the molecular detection of Babesia species in sheep and goats and the identification of vector ticks to prevent disease. Blood and tick samples of suspected animals have been collected from different regions of Sistan and Baluchestan province included in Zahedan, Mirjaveh, Khash, Saravan and Iranshahr. The results of PCR have shown 2 samples which have infected with Babesia and 34 samples of total 100 samples with Theileria specious. Also one case of the study has demonstrated mixed infection. Results of Nested PCR have shown the infection with Babesia ovis only. Hyalomma asiaticum asiaticum, Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, Rhipicephalus turanicus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus have been isolated from infected animals and identified using available diagnostic keys.