Different Babesia species originating from the Apicomplexa family are the parasites existing in red blood cells, and they can widely affect the domestic and wild animal and also human. Babesiosis is a serious disease in cattle breeding industry that has affected more than 0. 5 billion of the cattles in the world. This study has been performed aiming to determine the Babesia species in the cattles of Mazandaran province. A total number of 210 blood samples were randomly collected from the jugular vein of the cattles. In the beginning, the DNA extracted from the blood sampleswas replicated with a primer pair replicating a 400-bp fragment of the Babesia 18S rRNA gene. All the positive bovine samples were examined with the specific semi nested-PCR for checking Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis. The results showed that the overall prevalence rates of Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis infection in the cattles were 33. 33% and 28. 6%, respectively. Chi-square test was used to compare the prevalence of the infetion in terms of seasons, the livestock age, and the type of livestock husbandry (traditional-semi-industrial). SPSS software was used for data analysis and the significance level was considered p < 0. 05. The results of this study show that Babesiosis is one of the most important diseases in the cattles of Mazandaran province, especially in the seasons of the ticks activity.

This study was designed to investigate the epidemiological distribution of B. bovis and B. bigemina using molecular method and related risk factors in a number of cattle in northwestern Iran. For this purpose, 153 blood samples were randomly collected in the East and West Azarbaijan provinces. The extracted DNA from blood cells was analyzed using a set of primers derived from the 18s rRNA gene for members of the genera Babesia by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A semi-nested PCR technique was used for the identification of B. bovis and B. bigemina species. Based on the results of the present study, out of 153 blood samples, 39 (25. 49%) were infected with a species of Babesia protozoan parasite, one of which was simultaneously infected with both Babesia species, and B. bovis and B. bigemina were detected in 38 (97. 43 %) and 2 (5. 12 %) samples, respectively. Our findings showed a high prevalence of B. bovis in comparison with B. bigemina in the animals (24. 83% vs. 1. 30%). In present research, the prevalence of Babesia species in West Azarbaijan province was significantly higher than that in East Azarbaijan (70% vs. 30%). Risk factors analysis revealed that although statistically significant differences in the prevalence of the Babesiosis were observed based on climate, season, flock management, feeding and race (p<0. 05) but the effect of age, gender, and tick burden was not statistically significant. Our data provide valuable information regarding the epidemiology of B. bovis and B. bigemina infection in cattle in northwestern Iran which will likely be very beneficial for the management and control programs of the disease.

Introduction: Babesia bigemina and B. bovis are the two most important species that cause bovine babesiosis, leading to economic losses due to increased mortality and lower production. Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors with B.bigemina and B. bovis in cattle of Golestan province using molecular tools. Methods: A total of 152 blood samples were collected from healthy cattle in 11 cities of the Province. Associated risk factors were also recorded. Genomic DNA was extracted and amplified by using semi-nested PCR. Results: Out of the 152 samples, 42 (27.6%) and 29 (19.1%) were positive for B. bigemina and B. bovis infection, respectively. The potential significant factors associated with B. bigemina infections were climate, distance from other farms, contact with other animals, and farm density. The only significant risk factor for B. bovis infection was farm type. Conclusion: It is necessary to educate livestock farmers about tick-borne diseases and tick control methods and to establish animal husbandry based on health standards in Golestan province. Obtained data provided a baseline information regarding to epidemiology of B. bigemina and B. bovis infections in cattle in the region, which can be utilized in developing proper strategies for disease control and management.

A procedure was developed for detection of Babesia ovis (B.ovis) infection in blood samples containing infected erythrocytes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In order to detect the DNA parasite in blood sample two sets of oligonucleotides were designed according to the nucleotide sequences of the 18S rRNA and ATP-binding protein genes of B.ovis. These genes were amplified at 286 and 453bp fragments, respectively. Samples from eight isolates of experimentally infected lambs to B.ovis were analyzed. PCR analysis showed that all of the samples were infected by B.ovis. Sequence determination and analysis of amplified fragments confirmed specificity of the PCR. The PCR was sensitive enough to detect parasite DNA from 5µ1 of blood samples with a parasitemia of0.000005%these results suggest that the PCR-based diagnostic assay for B.ovis is highly specific and sensitive.

Babesia ovis isolated from field animals were used to infect the spleenectomised and susceptible lambs. Blood samples were collected from lambs during the rise parasitemia. Seven lambs were inoculated intravenosly with 5x107 infected erythrocytes. Clinical and parasitological observations were studied until 21 days after infection. The first sign of disease was rise of temperature which observed on third & fifth days post inoculation. This was followed by restlessness, marked in appetite and the temperature rised up to 42°C until third and forth days, rapid heart beat, increase respiratory rate, anemia and icterus were present. Affected animals became thin and emaciated the haemoglobinuria had not been observed and finally infected animals getting well little by little. Spleenectomised animals showed severe haemoglobinuria and death occurred on fifth and eighth days after inoculation.

Babesia Starcovici 1893 and Theileria Theiler 1906 are the most important endemic blood parasites in domesticated animals. These parasites are transmitted by ticks and can causes clinical babesiosis and theileriosis both characterized by fever, hemolytic anemia which may lead to death. Therefore, the aim of our study is to determine the infection rates of Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. in Guilan province from Iran. A total number of 40 blood smears were collected from 40 different randomly selected cattle. The blood smears prepared and stained by Gimsa solution (10%) and light microscopic was used to examination of blood smears. The results showed that the number of 7 samples were infected by parasites. Among these, 3 samples (7. 5%) were infected with Babesia spp. and 2 samples (5%) with Theileria spp. Along as 2 samples (5%) with bacterial parasites Anaplasma Theiler 1910. In the end, we recommend using both morphological and molecular methods together to get better results.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Babesia is a blood-tissue parasite, which is transmitted by hard ticks from Ixodidae family. The parasite is the cause of babesiosis among small ruminants, cattle, human, dogs and other animals. Babesia is one of the main fatal factors among livestock in endemic regions such as Iran.The aim of this study was to identify Babesia spp infection using microscopic and molecular methods among small ruminants in Mazandaran and Golestan provinces, northern Iran, during 2011-2012.METHODS: In this study, a total of 220 sheep and goats were selected from 22 flocks in different regions of these provinces and blood samples were taken from their ears. The samples were transferred to the laboratory. Then thick and thin smears were prepared, stained with Geimsa and examined under light microscope. Standard PCR and semi nested- PCR was performed to differentiate genus of Theileria and Babesia, also identify the species of Babesia.RESULTS: From a total of 220 blood samples (160 sheep and 60 goats), 34 cases (15.4 %) showed Babesia infection using microscopic examination. Whereas, 11 cases (5%) were found positive for Babesia spp using standard PCR. Also, two positive cases were showed mixed infection with Theileria spp. In addition, two microscopic negative samples were positive by PCR assay. Using semi nested-PCR, Babesia ovis (n=10) and B. motasi (n=1) were detected.CONCLUSION: Our results shows ovine babesiosis is common in the Northern provinces of Iran. Moreover, Babesia ovis is the main causative agent of ovine babesiosis in northern Iran. The relatively high prevalence of Babesia infection in sheep and goats indicates the epizootic stability status of babesiosis in the northern part of Iran.

Background: Equine piroplasmosis is caused by two haemoprotozoan parasites: Babesia caballi and Theileria equi. Negative economic impact on international trade has been associated to endemic sites. This is the reason why carrier detection requires reliable diagnostic methods. Various diagnostic modalities can be used alone or in combination including PCR. However, genetic variation of commonly used genes is still of debate. The aim of this research was to sequence the -tubulin gene of a B. caballi strain from Spain and to compare it with known -tubulin sequences. Methods: DNA was isolated from a cryopreserved strain from Spain and acute and chronic carrier horses. Firstly, degenerated primer pairs were designed based on GenBank sequences of different Babesia and Theileria species for sequencing. The primers were redesigned to amplify both parasites, simultaneously. Finally, a species-specific pri-mer pair for B. caballi was designed and a Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism-PCR (PCR-RFLP) assay performed to know the difference of known B. caballi strains. Results: We provided new insights of the -tubulin gene and a good molecular coverage of this gene, contributing with a number of useful primers to amplify T. equi and B. caballi. Moreover, PCR-RFLP assays based on the exon II of this gene confirmed the causative B. caballi strain in Spanish horses. Conclusion: We reported useful primer pairs for diagnostic and a new sequence of the -tubulin gene of B. caballi, which will facilitate the development of future assays and the detection of infected horses, preventing thus the spread of this disease worldwide.

Background: Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Hyalomma marginatum are the most common species in sheep herds in Northeast of Iran. There is preliminary evidence that these species may be the vectors of Babesia ovis in Iran. We carried out two experiments in Mashhad area, Khorasan Razavi Province to determine whether B. ovis could be transovarially transmitted by R. sanguineus and H. marginatum.Methods: In experiment 1, adults of laboratory reared H. marginatum and R.sanguineus were infected with B. ovis isolated from naturally infected sheep in Mashhad area by feeding the ticks on the sheep inoculated intravenously by infected blood samples. The inoculated sheep showed clinical signs with parasitaemia while the adult ticks were engorging on them. The engorged females were collected and kept at 28°C and 85% relative humidity in incubator. Then, larval, nymphal and adult stages derived from engorged females were used to infest the clean sheep. In experiment 2, two splenectomized sheep were infested only with the same adult ticks of two species.Results: Examination of smears and PCR of blood samples to detect of B. ovis in infested sheep in two experiments were negative.Conclusion: It seems that R. sanguineus and H. marginatum can not transovarially transmit B. ovis in sheep.