Molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity of Anaplasma and Theileria spp. in Pakistani sheep.

ABSTRACT: Pakistan has a huge sheep population (37.2 million in 2024) that is largely unexplored for the presence of vector transmitted parasites. Present study was aimed to document the prevalence of Anaplasma sp., Anaplasma ovis, Theileria ovis and Theileria lestoquardi in sheep blood samples (N = 329) that were collected from six districts (Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Taunsa and Khanewal) during August till December 2024 and to report the genetic diversity of screened pathogens. Molecular analyses revealed that the prevalence of Anaplasma sp., Anaplasma ovis and Theileria ovis in screened sheep was 11%, 20% and 21% respectively. None of the screened sheep was Theileria lestoquardi infected. Co-infection of the screened pathogens was also observed. Presence of the detected pat

SUBMITTER: Shahzadi W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12286364 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature