Microscopic and molecular detection of Cephalopina titillator in camels in Al-Diwaniyah province, Iraq

Parasitic infestations (myiasis) in camels are essential and can decrease the camel performance. The current work was conducted to identify the presence of Cephalopina titillator in camels in Al-Diwaniyah Province, Iraq. The study collected 150 direct and fresh samples from the head of both sexes (27 males and 123 females). The larvae were restricted to the nasopharyngeal cavity and turbinates, while a few larvae were found in the turbinate bones and ethmoid area. The colors of the first and second larvae were white or grey. The length of the first larvae ranged from 0.6 to 1.2cm (0.8±0.2), and its width ranged from 0.2 to 0.4cm (0.2±0.1). The length of the second larvae ranged from 1.4 to 1.7cm (1.4±0.1), and its width was 0.2 to 0.5cm (0.1±0.4). The color of the third larvae was yellowish, with a dark brown line on the ventral surface, its length ranged from 1.8 to 2.9cm (2.40±0.3), and its maximum width ranged from 0.5 to 1.2cm (0.80±0.1). There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the number of larvae among camels of different body condition. These samples were entered into a series of identification and studies, which started with regular macroscopy and microscopy, 16S rRNA gene-based PCR, and partial gene sequencing. The results showed that 90(60%) of the samples revealed the presence of the larvae. However, the remaining larvae were assigned to other types of parasites. The PCR further confirmed the parasite's identity. In addition, the sequencing demonstrated that the current (12) isolates were closely similar in their nucleotide sequencing to an isolate from China. The present investigation unveils that the Cephalopina titillator is an important larva highly frequent in infected camels.