Molecular Detection, Species Identification, and Phylogenetic Characterization of Babesia ovis and Babesia motasi in Sheep and Sheep Owners in Babylon Province, Iraq
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ijapm.2026.42.02.12Keywords:
Dairy farmers, Land holding, Production system, IncomeAbstract
Background: Babesiosis is an important tick-borne disease of small ruminants and is caused by intraerythrocytic protozoa of the genus Babesia. Molecular diagnosis is useful for detecting low-level infections and for confirming the species involved in ovine babesiosis. Aim: This study aimed to detect Babesia species molecularly in sheep and sheep owners in Babylon Province, Iraq, and to identify Babesia ovis and Babesia motasi. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2025 to April 2026. A total of 200 blood samples were collected, including 150 sheep samples and 50 samples from sheep owners from Al-Qasim, Al-Hashimiyah, Al-Kifl, Al-Musayyib, and Al-Shomali districts. Conventional PCR was used for molecular screening of Babesia spp. targeting the 18S rRNA gene. Species-specific PCR was performed for B. ovis targeting the SSU rRNA gene. Representative positive products were sequenced and compared with GenBank reference sequences. Results: All owner samples were negative for Babesia spp. DNA, with 0/50 positive samples. In sheep, Babesia spp. DNA was detected in 108/150 samples, giving an overall molecular prevalence of 72.00%. According to sex, infection was recorded in 34/43 males, 79.06%, and 74/107 females, 69.15%, with a female-to-male odds ratio of 0.59, 95% CI: 0.26–1.38, P = 0.224. According to geographical area, the highest positivity was recorded in Al-Hashimiyah, 13/16, 81.25%, followed by Al-Qasim, 17/21, 80.95%, Al-Musayyib, 28/38, 73.68%, Al-Kifl, 26/38, 68.42%, and Al-Shomali, 24/37, 64.86%. According to age, positivity was 8/12, 66.67%, in lambs aged 1–12 months, 24/31, 77.41%, in sheep aged 1–2 years, 28/35, 80.00%, in sheep aged 2–4 years, and 48/72, 66.67%, in sheep older than 4 years. Species-specific PCR among the species-tested positive samples showed B. ovis in 48/73 samples, 65.75%, B. motasi in 25/73 samples, 34.25%, and mixed B. ovis and B. motasi infection in 8/73 samples, 10.95%. Sequencing confirmed four local isolates for B. ovis and B. motasi. Conclusion: Molecular detection confirmed a high occurrence of Babesia spp. in sheep in Babylon Province, while no molecular evidence of Babesia infection was detected in the examined owners. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis supported the identity of the local isolates and their relationship with globally registered Babesia sequences.
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