Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate babesiosis in dogs of different breeds and ages and of both sexes in Baghdad Province by molecular detection of Babesia canis using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing followed by phylogenetic analyses. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 310 dogs of different ages and breeds, and of both sexes in different areas of Baghdad Province from December 2018 to September 2019; during clinical examinations, body temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, and signs of diseases were recorded. PCR was used to amplify a specific 450-bp fragment of the 18S rRNA gene of B. canis. PCR products were sequenced, and MEGA 6.0 software was used for analysis. Chi-square and odds ratio tests were used to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of babesiosis. Results: Clinical signs of babesiosis included paleness or icterus of the mucus membranes, tick infestation, and febrile illness during the acute and subacute phase. The prevalence of infection with B. canis was 5.1%, with the higher prevalence in male dogs and in dogs <3 years of age. Huskies were more likely to be infected than other dogs. Infection prevalence was highest in April and June and was higher in spring and summer than in winter. Using sequence data, 14 isolates of Babesia canis canis and one isolate of each Babesia canis rossi and Babesia canis vogeli were identified. Phylogenetic analyses of B. canis canis revealed that three shared clades and several isolated lineages were similar to other isolates (97-99% similarity), whereas B. canis vogeli and B. canis rossi showed similarities of 98% and 99% with isolates from other geographical regions. Conclusion: This study provides the first molecular record and phylogenic analysis of B. canis in dogs in Iraq, and it will be valuable for confirming clinical signs and studying epidemiological risk factors of babesiosis in dogs.
The aim of this study is to describe the leech species that are used in some of the alternative medicine clinics in Baghdad Province based on morphometric measurements and colouring pattern of the body. A collection of twenty leeches was provided from some clinics. All specimens were identified and described based on standard available keys. The morphometric characteristics and colouring patterns were recorded and the indicated that these leeches were Hirudo orientalis Utevsky & Trontelj, 2005 and H. verbana Carena, 1820.
Salmonellosis in poultry is one of the most significant bacterial infections causing mortality, reduced production, and serious economic losses. This study aimed to study the molecular diversity among Salmonella isolates and investigate the epidemiological spread of these bacteria in broiler and layer chicken flocks in five different farms in Karbala, Iraq, using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In total, 217 cloac a swabs were collected from the farms, out of which 129 and 88 swabs were taken from broiler and layer chickens. The samples were screened by PCR for S. enterica subsp. enterica using primers specific for the invA gene. Afterward, RAPD-PCR with uniplex or multiplex octamer primers was appli
... Show MoreBackground: Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila) is gram-negative bacterium, which causes Legionnaires’ disease as well as Pontiac fever. Objective: To determine the frequency of Legionella pneumophila in pneumonic patients, to determine the clinical utility of diagnosing Legionella pneumonia by urinary antigen testing (LPUAT) in terms of sensitivity and specificity, to compares the results obtained from patients by urinary antigen test with q Real Time PCR (RT PCR) using serum samples and to determine the frequency of serogroup 1 and other serogroups of L. pneumophila. Methods: A total of 100 pneumonic patients (community acquired pneumonia) were enrolled in this study during a period between October 2016 to April 2017; 92 sam
... Show MoreBacterial meningitis is a leading cause of illness and death worldwide. It is crucial for clinical and public health care, as well as disease control, to identify the meningitis-causing agent promptly. Between June 2021-February 2022, a total of 100 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples were collected from suspected cases of meningitis admitted to Raparin Paediatric Teaching Hospital, Erbil city-Iraq. Cytochemical, cultural, and biochemical tests were conducted, and confirmed by molecular techniques. Bacterial culture findings were positive in 7% of CSF samples and just one positive among blood samples. The most common pathogens found by cultural characteristics and VITEK 2 Compact System were Staphylococcus sciuri in two
... Show MoreBegomoviruses infecting zucchini squash were investigated. Leaf samples were collected from zucchini squash growing areas in Baghdad (Jhadryaa and Yusufiyah), Babylon (Jibela and Mahmudiyah) and Diyala (Khan Bani Saad) Provinces. Samples were screened for the presence of begomoviruses using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Deng genus specific primers. Sixteen out of 40 samples were begomovirus positive. Sequence analysis confirmed the detection of Tomato leaf curl Palampur virus (TLCPALV)
The present study is designed to diagnose the giardiasis from cattle and patients with diarrhea arrivals to Maternity and Childhood Teaching Hospital and General Education Hospital in Al-Qadisiya Governorate by using direct wet smear method as well as knowledge of the rate of prevalence of giardiasis in Al- Diwaniyah province, and study the effect of age, sex and nature of residence in the proportions of infection and investigate the genotypes of Giardia lamblia from human and animal feces ,100 samples were collected (50 stool samples of human and 50 feces samples of cattle). In human, the result showed that the infection rate was 54% (27). The age group of 2-4 years showed the highest rate of infection (40.7%), while children aged 8-10
... Show MoreTumours in pets occur naturally and are common in dogs as they are in humans. Tumours of the alimentary system have been reported in animals, although less frequently. Food patterns and specific diet components could have a big role in such tumour occurrence. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the clinical signs and inspect the neoplasm lesions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract grossly and histopathologically in dogs in Baghdad, Iraq, and to see whether pet diets had any tumourigenic effect. Throughout two years sixteen dogs were referred to Teaching Animal Hospital and private clinics at Baghdad city with masses in (GI) tract. Males and large size breeds were more likely to be affected with GI tumours. Half of the cases a
... Show MoreCosmochthonius reticulatus Grandjean, 1947 (Acari: Oribatei: Cosmochthoniidae) and Rhysotritia ardua ardua C. L. Koch, 1841 ( Acari : Oribate : Euphthiracari¬dae), are two species of oribatids mites first recorded in Iraq from a woodland in the central part of Iraq. The two species are described and illustrated.
The Histo-mrphology were directed on the pneumonic alveoli of 6 male goats. The respiratory portion is composed of typical cuboidal epithelial cells with Clara cell, however, alveolar ducts are lined by simple squamous epithelium and alveoli were generally circular structures that opened into the alveolar conduits and alveolar sacs or respiratory bronchioles. Alveoli were made out of two kinds of cells for example Type-I pneumocytes and Type-II pneumocytes. Previous framed the mainlining epithelial cells of alveoli which were squamous in sort having noticeable perinuclear territory and central found the core, while the last were cuboidal fit as a fiddle with the midway found core and periodically found among the Sort I cells in the
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