Background: Neospora caninum is protozoan parasitic disease now described as the major cause of abortion and other reproductive issues. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of N. caninum in cattle breeds of the Sistan region, southeastern border area of Iran. Methods: Using an ELISA kit (ID.VET, France), the antibodies against N. caninum in cattle of Sistan was evaluated in 2016. Overall, 184 blood samples from apparently healthy cattle in the eastern border area of Iran Sistan were collected for assessment of antibodies against N. caninum. The values greater than or equal to 50%, were considered positive based on manufacture’s manual for ELASA kit. Results: 3.8% of 184 cattle have antibody against N. caninum. Chi-square test showed that the seroprevalence among Holsteins, Sistan and cross-breed was 9.4%, 0%, and 4.3%, respectively. No significant difference was observed among the breeds (P>0.05). The seroprevalence was decreased as the age of cow increased and there is no significant difference between the prevalence of N. caninum and different city area. No statistically significant relationship between the seroprevalence of N. caninum and history of abortion, lactation number and infertility was observed. Although there was no significant difference between the cattle breeds of the Sistan region all the Sistani cows were negative for the antibody against N. caninum. Conclusion: Infection rate with N. caninum in bovine population in Sistan region is very low. Environmental and management factors are the major causes, which influence the regional prevalence.

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Infection with Babesia and Theileria Causes high mortality and economical losses in livestock and has a relatively high prevalence in Iran. In Zabol, animals are susceptible to this disease because of presence of vector ticks, weather conditions and smuggle animal across the border and they cause great damages to the economy and production. However, few studies have been done for differentiation of Theileria and Babesia in sheep in this area. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of Babesiosis and Theileriosis in sheep in Zabol. A number of 80 animals were randomly selected and their blood samples were examined. The presence of Theileria and Babesia parasites in each sample was determined with PCR and microscopic examination. Of 80 blood samples obtained from sheep, 8 cases (10 %) were positive by microscopic examination where 6 samples were infected with Theileria and 2 samples with Babesia. The result of PCR method determined the prevalence of 66.25 % (53 samples) and 3.75 % (3 samples) for Theileria and Babesia, respectively. The correlation between these two methods (PCR and microscopic examination) was determined with Kappa statistical test. Based on the obtained results, it is concluded that Babesiosis has a low prevalence among the sheep of Zabol. This is the first report in which ovine Babesiosis has been studied in this region using molecular identification techniques.

Background: Theileria is a protozoal parasite that belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa. Theileriosis is an important tick-borne disease caused by various species of Theileria. Among these species, T. lestoquardi (T. hirci) is highly pathogenic, while other species such as T. ovis make Subclinical and mild infections in small ruminant. Therefore, the precise identification of the species and the vector ticks are very essential for epidemiological studies and the design of control programs. Methods: This research was conducted with the aim of molecular study to identify Theileria species and vectors in Zabol, eastern Iran in 2015. The presence of Theileria in 80 blood samples and vector ticks was evaluated using PCR method. Results: Of 80 blood samples, PCR analysis showed that 50 samples (62.5%) were infected with Theileria. The eval­uation of the first phase PCR with Nested PCR showed that infections with Theileria ovis and Theileria lestoquardi were 67.45% and 32.55% cases respectively. Overall, 110 ticks (78 males and 32 females) were collected and generally two genera and six spe­cies including Rhipicephalus bursa (9.1%), Rh. sanguineus (29.1%), Rh. turanicus (10.9%) Hyalomma asiati­cum asiati­cum (23.63%), Hy. excavatum (10.9%), Hy. anatolicum (16.37%) were detected. After evaluating ticks infection by PCR method, three species of Rh. turanicus, Rh. sanguineus and Hy. asiaticum asiaticum, were infected. Conclusion: Theileria ovis has a high prevalence among the sheep of zabol and Hy. asiaticum asiaticum, Rh. sanguineus and Rh. turanicus may be the main vectors of Theileria species in this area.