Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of Babesia gibsoni in dogs and its infested ticks in Nineveh province, Iraq

Through this study, 50 different dogs in sex, age, source clinical manifestation, and breeds. These animals were examined, and their apparent clinical signs were recorded; blood sample was collected from the cephalic veins of dogs, and the blood was transferred to anticoagulant EDTA tubes; 130 ticks were collected directly from animals. DNA was extracted from blood and ticks, and then DNA was detected using a polymerase chain reaction, which was applied to detect B. gibsoni using Gib599 and Gib1270 primers. The results Polymerase chain reaction, which can be used to detect the DNA of B. gibsoni, showed 19 positive blood samples and 80 ticks that gave positive to B. gibsoni DNA, a high prevalence of infection in animals that suffer from general weakness and enlargement of lymph nodes, the oldest animal showed high prevalence of infection with B. gibsoni when compare with youngest once, male dogs showed high prevalence than female, the native dogs recorded high prevalence than imported once, the largest breeds showed high prevalence than small breeds. 10 positive samples were selected. After that, the genetic sequencing was performed. A genetic sequence of the samples was detected by the findings of the sequencing of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene of B. gibsoni. Only one isolate was found in the blood samples sent for sequencing. They have a serial number when they were registered in the gene bank. (OR944894.1) and another isolate from ticks (OR944895.1). in conclusions Dogs affected B. gibsoni, and there are more dominant parasites in dogs.in addition the role of ticks to transmit this parasite