Molecular Diagnosis and Identification of Tick Strains from Bovine Origin Using Polymerase Chain Reaction in Mosul city

Abstract

Backgrounds and Objectives: Ticks are important ectoparasites of cattle and play a significant role in transmitting pathogens responsible for economically important diseases, including Theileria, Babesia, and Anaplasma. This study aimed to identify tick species collected from cattle in Mosul, Iraq, and investigate their genetic diversity using morphological and molecular approaches.
Methods Ticks were collected from cattle in Mosul and examined using morphological identification and molecular analysis. Mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene sequencing was used for molecular characterization, and phylogenetic analysis was performed to assess genetic relationships and variation among the identified tick strains.
Results: Molecular analysis revealed considerable genetic diversity among the examined ticks, with 10 genetically distinct tick strains reported as newly recorded in the study area. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated genetic variation among the identified strains, suggesting differences in their genetic relationships and possible origins. These findings provide new insights into the genetic diversity of cattle ticks in Mosul, Iraq.
Conclusions:
The integration of morphological identification and 12S rRNA gene sequencing provided valuable information on the genetic diversity of cattle ticks in Mosul. The identification of 10 previously unrecorded strains highlights the importance of molecular surveillance for improving tick identification and understanding their distribution. Further studies are needed to investigate the potential associations between tick diversity, environmental and climatic factors, livestock movement, and the transmission of tick-borne pathogens, including Theileria, Babesia, and Anaplasma.