ISOLATION OF THEILERIA AND BABESIA FROM GUT AND OVERY OF HARD TICKS: Hyalomma a. anatolicum IN BAGHDAD

Abstract

The application of thick blood smear technique based on Giemza- stain confirmed the presence of high rate of ticks infection 58.3% is revealed to endemic area of Theileriosis and Babesiosis in Iraq. Abdomen area (gut and ovary) of hard ticks: Hyalomma a. anatolicum revealed high rate of infection with Theileria sp.43% and Babesia sp. 15.2% . Babesia was recorded for the first time in Iraq from ticks. Females appeared positive smears more than males that total rate of infection (39) 54.1%. Distribution of infection rate in ticks was discussed with two periods of collection from May to October 2009. We concluded from this study that Hyalomma a. anatolicum tick at least one of Theileria &Babesia sp. Infective for cattle in Iraq; and this technique to be useful in identifying the species of protozoa in potential tick vectors.