Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in sheep in some provinces of Iraq

Abstract EN

The study was designed to record the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection within sheep in Iraq.

A total of 297 blood samples were collected from sheep in three provinces: Babylon, Misan and Wasit.

Diagnosis of infection was done on the basis of examination of stained smear.

Which was prepared and examined microscopically of blood stained smear for the presence of morulae, and revealed 8/297 (2.69% ) as the total infection rate.

Vital clinical examination revealed non-significant differences between temperature, pulsation and the respiratory rates of infected sheep; other significant clinical signs were emaciation at 5/8 (62.50% ) and pale mucous membrane at 3/8 (37.50% ).

The haematological diagram displayed significant differences in infected sheep compared to non-infected sheep in some haematological parameters.

The platelet count, lymphocytes and neutrophil were significantly decreased (P˂0.05), while total white blood cell count, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils were decreased non-significantly.

The results obtained are the first blood smear diagnosis of A.

phagocytophilum infection within sheep in Iraq.