Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Sciences

In this study, we examined blood samples of 385 sheep and goats of different ages, sexes, and sources under routine microscopic examination of the blood smear (wet, thin, thick, buffy coat layer smears) to detect Trypanosoma. Results show that 81 samples were positive. These samples are succumbed to the molecular detection of Trypanosoma and other species by the extraction of parasitic DNA this parasitic DNA is detected in samples using KIN1, KIN2, and AITSF, AITSR primers. After that, conventional polymerase chain reaction was applied, and the results showed that 81 samples had a positive reaction in using KIN1 and KIN2 primers, while the positive samples were 76 when using AITSF, AITSR primers. Moreover, results showed a high rate of infection in sheep as compared with goats using both pairs of primers and two species of Trypanosoma in sheep and goats. Molecular was recorded, which include T. conglense and T. vivax. Animals more than 1-2 years old group showed a high rate of infection as compared with other ages group, and females have recorded a high rate of infection as compared with males. According to the source of animals, imported animals showed a high infective rate compared to native ones. This study is the first recorded Trypanosoma species in small ruminants in Mosul city.

Globally, Border disease virus (BDV) has caused substantial economic losses among small ruminants (sheep and goats). This is the first molecular study carried out in Mosul city, Iraq. To determine the prevalence of Border Disease Virus and to examine problem of persistent infection (PI) using Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction technique (RT-PCR) in female local breed of small ruminants. During the period between November 2018 to June 2019, 364 blood samples were collected from 264 local Awassi sheep and 100 local cross breed goats secure provided by private breeders. The animals were of ≥1.5 years old and the samples were obtained from various locations in Mosul city, with varying rearing methods and had not been vaccinated against BDV. This investigation indicated that the prevalence of BDV infection in sheep and goats were 15.9% (42/264) and 3% (3/100) respectively, whereas the occurrence of PI in sheep was 2.38% and in goats was 0%. Hence it was concluded that Border disease was circulating in small ruminants in Mosul city. This calls for a need to design programs to monitor and control the disease and eventually eradicate it is prevalence in Mosul city.

This study was conducted to investigate Anoplocephalidia Cestoda in sheep and goat and evaluate the 18s rRNA to genetically differentiate the genera of this family. Sixty sample tapeworms were collected from small intestines of 30 sheep and 30 goats from different slaughterhouses in Al-Najaf and Al-Qadisiyah provinces, during September, 2016 to February, 2017. Based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and 18s rRNA gene partial sequencing (18sGPS) methods used, tapeworm infection of sheep and goat’s intestines was 32.9% and 31.4%, respectively. The partial gene sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene showed two closely related isolates of M. benedeni which are aligned distinctly to an NCBI isolate of the same species from China. For T. giardia, the outcomes of the phylogenetic analysis unveiled three distinct local isolates which were similar to an NCBI database isolate from China. The current data ensure the importance of the molecular techniques in differentiating between Thysaniezia (Helictometra) giardi and Moniezia species that were identified for their presence in the small intestines of sheep and goats.

The aim of this study was to identify the vaginal bacteria flora in black Iraqi goats subjected to estrus synchronization. Sixteen multiparous black Iraqi goats presented in the farm of the College Veterinary Medicine, Al-Anbar University, were included in this study, during the breeding season, from May 2011 to July 2011. The ages of the animals rwere 2-4 years. A polyurethane sponge containing 20 mg of micromsed cronolone (fluorogestone acetate progestagen) was inserted in the vagina for 14 days. Standard bacteriological procedures were performed on vaginal mucus swabs obtained before application of the sponges and at sponges withdrawal. Results of this study revealed that the most bacterial flora was Gram positive Bacilli before insertion of sponges, while most of Gram negative Bacilli were present after sponges withdrawal. Bacterial culture of vaginal swabs taken before insertion of sponges showed 8 isolates (50%) G^_ and 8 isolates (50%) G⁺, while after withdrawal of sponges the bacterial culture showed 10 isolates G^_ (45.4%) and 12 isolates (54.6) G⁺. The most prevalent bacteria isolated were S. aureus (10 isolates) 26.3%. E. coli (6 isolates) 15.8%, P. vulgaris (6 isolates) 15.8%, C. (4 isolates)10.5% and other bacteria where having 2 isolates 5.2% for each one includes, Entercoccus fecalis, Entrococcus, Entrobacter, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Salmonella. In conclusion, using progestagen impregnated sponges in the vagina for estrus synchronization could stimulate inflammation of the vaginal mucous membrane and increase of bacterial infection.