Identification of intestinal parasite isolates from deer in Iraq

Abstract

In recent decades, breeding deer populations in Iraq have expanded significantly in size and distribution. Owing to their role in pathogen transmission, these deer populations pose a risk to the livestock industry. However, little is known about the parasitic infection status of the breeding deer and the surrounding environment in Iraq. Atotal of 150 deer faecal samples were collected from male and female deer of various ages from four regions of Iraq and examined microscopically for intestinal parasites. Microscopic analysis revealed the presence of seven intestinal parasite species: Entamoeba spp. (48%), Giardia duodenalis (17%), Toxocara spp. (12%), Balantidium coli(9%), Taenia spp. (9%), Strongyloides spp. (3%) and Trichostrongylus spp. (2%). Among these, Entamoeba spp. showed the highest infection rate and is known to cause a range of intestinal diseases and damage to vital organs such as the liver and brain. Fifty Entamoeba-positive samples were subjected to PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. This molecular approach confirmed the presence of four Entamoeba species: E. hartmanni (ID: PQ661240.1, ID: PQ661241.1), E. chattoni (ID: PQ661242.1), E. dispar (ID: PQ661243.1), and E. nuttalli (ID: PQ661244.1), for the first time in Iraq. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a high sequence similarity with previously documented isolates: 99.85% with E. hartmanni from China, 90.96% with E. chattoni from Taiwan, 99.98% with E. dispar from Argentina, and 99.96% with E. nuttalli from Japan. The detection of multiple intestinal parasites, especially molecular confirmation of the four Entamoeba species for the first time in Iraq, highlights the need for ongoing monitoring of deer populations. Improved hygiene, restricted grazing, and integrated surveillance are recommended to mitigate the potential zoonotic transmission.