Shadan Hassan Abdullah
Theileriosis is a significant protozoal infection affecting livestock health status and productivity worldwide. The study aimed to detect Theileria infection in native goats from Sulaymaniyah province, the Northern region of Iraq. For the current study, random blood samples were obtained from clinically healthy goats in small-ruminant flocks belonging to four regions of Sulaymaniyah province. PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene was used to detect Theileria spp. in goat blood samples, followed by sequencing to detect the genetic diversity of isolates. Effects of age, herd size, tick burden, and coexistence with sheep on theileriosis prevalence were also evaluated. The overall infection rate of theileriosis in caprine was 55.83%. A higher infection rate of 61.67% was reported in Sharazoor compared to 51.67% in Sitak. Risk factors, including age, flock size, and tick burden, were significant determinants (p < 0.005). Age of more than 1 year was measured as a significant relative risk of 65.67% (OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.09-3.10). The odds of theileriosis were also higher among large flocks, 85.07% (OR = 1.95,95% CI: 1.02-3.71). Tick burden was an obvious risk factor, 89.55% (OR = 8.57, 95% CI: 4.38-16.78). Although herd composition did not significantly affect Theileria infection (OR = 0.63,95% CI: 0.34-1.18). Blast analysis of the study sequences confirmed T. ovis, and the constructed phylogenetic tree showed that the current isolates clustered with previously detected T. ovis isolates. The study highlights a high rate of Theileria ovis circulation in goats, influenced by key epidemiological risk factors, underscoring the need to strengthen surveillance and tick-control measures.