Occurrence of Cystoisospora Species, Based on rRNA ITS1 Locus, in Cats in Babylon City of Iraq

Abstract

This study was conducted to uncover the molecular prevalence of Cystoisospora species based on the rRNA ITS1 locus, in cats in Babylon city, Iraq for a period of 6 months from the beginning of November 2021 to the end of April 2022. A total of 100 cat’s faecal samples were examined by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Our data disclosed that 22 out of 100 cats (22%) were shown to be infected with Cystoisospora felis. The parasite burden in males was 26% (13/50) and it was higher than females 18% (9/50). Kittens under 6 months of age had the highest infection rate 34.78% compare to other age groups. Additionally, the months had also a comparable effect on the infection rate with no significant difference, where the highest infection rate was 34.78% and recorded in November and the lowest was 6.66% and recorded in March. Database search showed sequence homology with the Australian C. felis, Chinese C. felis and the Australian Cystoisospora spp. isolates. This study exhibited that the C. felis is the most common species in cats in Iraq in comparison to C. rivolta.