Molecular Detection and Hematological Changes of Theileriosis in Sheep and Goats in Baghdad Province

Abstract

Theileriosis is an important blood disease that affects most species of domestic and wild ruminants, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Sheep and goats are often infected with T. listoquardi and T. ovis and cause significant economic losses. Because of the scarcity of data on the incidence of the disease in Baghdad governorate, this study was conducted to determine the presence of subclinical infection by microscopic, hematological and molecular examination (PCR). 200 blood samples were collected randomly from healthy sheep and goats, 100 samples from sheep (77 females and 23 males) and 100 samples from goats (83 females and 17 males), samples were collected from north and west Baghdad from October to December 2020. The results of the study showed the presence of T. ovis in sheep in a percentage of 9% by microscopic examination and 16% by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All sheep samples were negative for T. lestoquardi by both techniques and all the goat samples were negative for both species of Theileria by both tests.High infection rate of Theileria spp. was recorded in males 17.39% (4/23) compared with females 15.58% (12/77). High infection rate 17.18% (11/64) was recorded in the age group more than 12 months followed by 16.66% (2/12) in the age group under 6 months of age while the lower infection rate 12.50% (3/24) in the age group between 6-12 months old. In this study the RBC, Hb, HCT, MCH and MCHC showed no significant changes. The white blood cell count (WBCs) increased in positive cases of this study, the lymphocyte showed no significant increase, the monocyte value did not significant decreaseand the granulocyte showed significant increase.