Molecular and Biomorphometrical Identification of Ovine Babesiosis in Iran

BACKGROUND Ovine babesiosis is the most important haemoparasitic tick-borne disease of small ruminants in Iran caused by Babesia ovis, B. motasi, and B. crassa. The aim of this study was to characterize the species of ovine Babesia species isolated from different geographical region of Iran. METHODS One hundred fifty four blood samples collected from animals, which demonstrated the pale mucous membranes or hyperthermia. The specimens were transferred to the laboratory and the blood smears stained with Geimsa, the morphological and biometrical data of parasite in any infected erythrocyte have been considered. Extracted DNA from each blood samples were used in PCR and semi nested- PCR in order to confirm the presence of the species. RESULTS Microscopical observation on 154 blood smears determined 38 (24.67%) and 40 (26%) samples were infected by Babesia and Theileria respectively. The mixed infections occurred in four (2.6%) samples. The results of the PCR assays showed nine (5.85%), 81 (53%) and 18 (11.7%) were distinguished as Babesia, Theileria and mixed infection, respectively. Semi nested- PCR did not confirm the presence of B. motasi. CONCLUSION The causative organism of many cases of haemoprotozoal diseases, which recorded in previous studies, could be B. ovis or Theileria lestoquardi. The result confirmed that B. ovis was only species which causes babesiosis in the study areas. It seems that the biometrical polymorphisms could exist in B. ovis in Iran. This polymorphism could be a main problem in differentiation between B. ovis and B. motasi and it could be dissolved by specific PCR analysis.