Molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in cattle from Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Babesiosis and anaplasmosis are tick-borne diseases that affect the health of cattle and may also be responsible for major economic losses. This study aimed to detect the presence of the causative agents of babesiosis and anaplasmosis among cattle in different provinces in Saudi Arabia and to characterise their species genetically. Methods: A total of 362 blood samples were taken from cattle in four regions (Riyadh, Al-Kharj, Al-Hasa and Al-Qassim) of Saudi Arabia and were molecularly screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of partial 18S rRNA and 23S rRNA genes to detect Babesia and Anaplasma species. Results: The overall prevalence of Babesia and Anaplasma in cattle was 2.49% and 5.80%, respectively. Theileria annulata (T. annulata) and Theileria ovis (T. ovis) were found in seven (1.93%) and two (0.55%) of the 362 samples, respectively. Anaplasma ovis (A. ovis) was detected in 21 (5.80%) of 362 samples. Likewise, four of the cattle were found to be coinfected with more than one pathogen (1.10%). All cattle samples tested negative for other species of Babesia, Theileria and Anaplasma. Conclusions: The presence of T. ovis and A. ovis has been reported in Saudi Arabia. Here, the presence of two novel genotypes of T. annulata is also reported in Saudi Arabian cattle. Further molecular surveys on larger numbers of samples from the entire country are needed to correctly address the prevalence and geographical distribution of tick-borne disease.