Molecular Detection of Hyalomma Spp. Isolated from Sheep and Camel in Al-Samawah Desert of Al-Muthanna Province
Nawras Abdul bari Madlol Al-Kaabi, Qasim Jawad Amer,
Naer Abdulbari Madlool Alkaabawi
Ticks, especially Hyalomma, are important vectors for the transmission of deadly microorganisms, such as Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) virus. The present study was conducted to identify Hyalomma spp. isolated from sheep and camel in Al-Samawah desert of Al-Muthanna Province. The study was performed with the collection of 60 tick samples. The samples were subjected to a PCR and partial gene sequencing of these ticks using the 18S rRNA gene. The results showed that 45/60 (75%) of the samples belonged to Hyalomma spp. The samples (17 PCR purified products) were sequenced, and the aligned data were placed in a phylogenetic tree. The phylogenetic analysis of these data revealed that the current study isolates of these ticks belonged to Hyalomma spp and stood close to different isolates deposited in the GeneBank. The present study reveal that these ticks are highly present in the sheep and camel in Al-Samawah desert of Al-Muthanna Province, and that could be an important indicator for the existence of certain pathogenic microorganisms, such as Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) virus, which needs more in-depth investigations for the purpose of disease control.
Keywords: Protozoa, Tick-borne disease, Viruses
