Morphological identification and phylogenetic analysis of Moniezia species isolated from sheep in Wasit province/ Iraq

Abstract

The current study was conducted during the period from December 2020 to August 2021 for detect the infection of Moniezia parasite in sheep using the traditional and molecular diagnostic methods as well as for confirmation of Moniezia species in sheep by the phylogenetic analysis. The samples fresh adult worms Moniezia were collected from intestines of sheep the locations of samples were obtained from abattoirs in Wasit province and also regarding months, sexes and ages affecting on infection prevalence rate. Results of microscopically, the samples fresh adult worms Moniezia spp. were collected from intestines of 125 sheep and stained with semichon's acid carmine and examined by light microscope, the results were revealed on 29 (23.2%) positive. Concerning to Moniezia spp. have been identified and classified out of 29 from sheep showed that M. expansa and M. benedeni 26 (89.65%) and 3(10.34%) respectively, with a significant difference (P≤0.01). Regarding to risk factors (sex, age and months), significant (P≤0.01) increase in sheep Monieziasis was reported in age groups <1year (37.5%) more than 1-2 year (14.28%) and > 2year (7.40%). No significant difference was observed in infection rates between male and female.

Moniezia expansa y Moniezia benedeni una parasitosis en rumiantes: una visión general de sus aspectos vinculados a su taxonomía

“…M. benedeni and M. expansa. Moniezia spp., infections are included among those that affect the small intestine in sheep and goats, although it also includes a wide range of definitive hosts, including cattle and other wild ruminants, with M. expansa being the most important species due to its high frequency of occurrence in sheep and goats compared to other ruminants 4 . Moniezia species have an indirect biological cycle, in which 2 host species are required, including ruminants as definitive or final host, where occurs sexual reproduction and the eggs produced pass from the intestine of the ruminant into the gravid proglottids and are expulsed through the feces to the soil where they penetrate the oribatid mites that become intermediate hosts (where asexual reproduction occurs) 18 .…”

“…The genus Moniezia belongs to the family Anoplocephalidae in the Order Cyclophyllidea, characterized by the absence of hooks and rostellum, its body consists of a small anterior scolex, neck, followed by a long chain strobile with a specific pattern for each species 3 . Moniezia species are included in cestodes and they show a worldwide distribution; causing intestinal diseases in ruminant species characterized by a decrease in animal production and, in some cases, death 4 .…”