Background and Aim: Sarcocystosis is a zoonotic infection caused by various species of Sarcocystis organisms with a worldwide geographic distribution. This study investigated the presence of Sarcocystis organisms in cattle and sheep slaughtered at an abattoir in Sulaimani Province in North Iraq. Materials and Methods: A total of 130 muscle samples were collected during May, June, and July of 2020, including 80 samples from sheep and 50 samples from cattle. Samples were examined visually for macrosarcocysts. The peptic digestion method was used to analyze fresh muscle tissue samples for detecting microsarcocysts followed by microscopic examination. Furthermore, muscle samples were fixed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histopathological examination. Results: In the gross examination, macroscopic cysts were not detected in both cattle and sheep; hence, all the prevalence data were obtained through microscopic observation of muscle samples. The peptic digestion method revealed the presence of banana-shaped bradyzoites in 90% and 92.5% of slaughtered cattle and sheep muscle samples, respectively. Organ-wise prevalence revealed that 95% and 92% of esophageal samples of sheep and cattle contained Sarcocystis spp., respectively. Moreover, 90% and 88% of sheep and cattle diaphragms were respectively infected. Histopathological examination of tissue sections revealed two morphologically distinct types of microsarcocysts, including thin-walled and thick-walled, in both sheep and cattle. Conclusion: The suspected Sarcocystis spp. were Sarcocystis tenella and Sarcocystis arieticanis in sheep and Sarcocystis cruzi and Sarcocystis bovifelis or Sarcocystis hominis in cattle. Infective stages of different Sarcocystis spp. are widespread in the study area environment.

Anaplasma spp. are significant arthropod-borne bacteria globally, but documented information about anaplasmosis in small ruminants in the north of Iraq is insufficient. Hence, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Anaplasma spp. and identify sheep and goat tick vector populations in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, north Iraq. The study population consisted of 470 sheep and 145 goats from 45 livestock farms in 10 geographical locations of Sulaymaniyah Governorate. The study was accomplished from April to December 2017. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein and used for DNA extraction. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted using primers based on the 16S rRNA of Anaplasma spp. Fragments of PCR products were sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. The prevalence of Anaplasma spp. was 58.9% based on the PCR results. Furthermore, 58.9% of sheep and 57.9% of goats were positive for anaplasmosis. The sequences represented 100% identity with previously documented GenBank isolates of A. ovis from Iran, the Netherlands, China, and Mongolia. Altogether, 150 Ixodid ticks were picked from small ruminants within the same flocks and were identified based on morphological features. Various infestation rates were observed; about 40% of the Ixodid ticks belonged to Rhipicephalus sanguineus, 34% belonged to Rhipicephalus turanicus, 18% were Hyalomma anatolicum, and 8% were Boophilus microplus (Rhipicephalus microplus). The present report is the first molecular study of Anaplasma species in small ruminants from Sulaymaniyah Governorate in northern Iraq to the best of our knowledge. The study concluded that anaplasmosis was endemic in small ruminants from the investigated areas.

Theileriosis, the hemoprotozoan infection, is an endemic condition in tropical and subtropical areas. In this study, conventional PCR analysis was applied to detect the natural infection of native sheep with theileriosis and estimate its effect on hemato-biochemical parameters. The study was carried out in five regions of Sulaimani province, northern Iraq. From May to October 2021, a total of 360 blood samples were collected randomly from the jugular vein of sheep belonging to 23 flocks with a history of tick infestations. After PCR for theileriosis, the hematobiochemical parameters were evaluated by an automatic analyzer using commercial kits. The PCR results represented that 71.7% of the examined sheep were infected with Theileria parasites. The highest prevalence rate (74.6%) was reported in Said Sadiq, and the lowest prevalence (69.5%) was from Bazian. The infection rates in Mawat, Qaradagh, and Sharazoor were 73.1, 70.3, and 71.8%, respectively. The hemogram data revealed a significant decrease in erythrocyte count, hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit values. Erythrocyte indices also showed significant increases in MC, MCH, and MCHC levels, but no significant differences were detected between the counting of leukocytes, lymphocytes, and granulocytes. Biochemical analysis revealed a significant decrease in total protein, albumin, and creatinine levels with a significant increase in urea and AST levels in infected sheep with theileriosis. Alteration in hemato-biochemical parameters from infected animals can outline the impact of theileriosis on body metabolism and blood factors in naturally infected sheep.

Toxoplasmosis is a cosmopolitan zoonotic infection that has significant effects on public health and causes economic losses in the livestock industry. The current study was designed to detect the Toxoplasma parasite in sheep blood samples and tissue samples of slaughtered sheep at the Sulaimani abattoir using molecular technique. A total of 300 peripheral sheep blood samples were randomly collected from 20 small ruminant flocks at 4 locations in the Sulaymaniyah province, northern Iraq. Also, 150 meat samples from thigh muscle, heart, and diaphragm were collected from slaughtered sheep. All collected blood samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification to confirm Toxoplasma infection; in addition, meat samples were also analyzed for Toxoplasma by PCR following the digestion process. Of the 300 amplified blood samples, 94 were considered positive for Toxoplasma gondii, with a prevalence rate of 31.3%. The overall prevalence of Toxoplasma among meat samples was 34%. The diaphragm reported a higher infection rate (46%) than the heart (32%), while the femoral muscle reported an infection rate of 24%. Aged animals (older than 24 months) presented a higher infection rate (32.8%) than younger animals (28.9%). Contact with or consumption of uncooked meat from infected sheep increases the chance of parasite transmission to humans.

Toxoplasmosis is a significant food‐borne protozoal disease in humans and animals. The study aimed to find out Toxoplasma seropositivity in sheep, estimate epidemiological risk factors and assess haemato‐biochemical parameter changes. Blood samples were collected from 276 indigenous sheep in five districts surrounding Sulaymaniyah Province in the northern region of Iraq. Toxoplasmosis was determined by detecting anti‐Toxoplasma antibodies by ELISA. The impact of various risk factors on seropositivity was evaluated. Haematological and serum biochemical changes from naturally infected sheep were analysed using commercial kits. The overall seroprevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies among the studied population was 41.67%. Sharazoor district had a higher prevalence rate of 46.15% than Bakrajo, with the lowest frequency rate of 38.18%. Ewes with an abortion history had a higher risk for seropositivity of about 47.4% (OR = 1.4, 95% CI: 0.9–1.6). Sampling season and herd size are other risk factors, with higher seropositivity at 42.5% (OR = 1.1, 95% CI: 0.8–1.4) during the dry season and among small flocks ≤ 100 animals/farm at 43.6% (OR = 1.1, 95% CI: 0.7–1.4). Toxoplasma prevalence was correlated with animals' ages; a higher seropositivity of 43.3% was found among older sheep (OR = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.6–1.2). Seropositive sheep had significantly higher total leukocyte, lymphocyte and granulocyte counts but significantly lower haemoglobin, haematocrit and total erythrocyte counts. The serum levels of total protein and albumin were significantly reduced, with increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations. Also, AST enzyme activity represents a higher value in positive sheep with toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasma infection among the ovine population is common. Its impact on livestock productivity should not be neglected. A potential risk for humans through infected sheep could be a hazardous source for public health.

The study was carried out for eight months from May to December 2020 to identify the main ectoparasite species that infest goats; for this purpose, a total of 150 local goats (Capra hircus) were thoroughly examined for the investigation of ectoparasites from ten small ruminant flocks belonging to five districts of the Sulaymaniyah governorate in northern Iraq. The goats included in the study were determined for preimaginal and adult ectoparasite stages. The observed ectoparasites were collected and preserved separately in containers with 70% ethanol and then brought to the laboratory for identification. The ectoparasite collection was done from the following regions: the ear, shoulder, neck, back, flank, thigh, and groin region. The overall prevalence rate of ectoparasite infestation was 57.33% counting 86 animals. Three different types of ectoparasites including ticks (n = 42; 48.84%), lice (n = 37; 43.02%), and fleas (n = 7; 8.14%), were identified. The higher infestation rate was due to hard ticks (Ixodidae). The identified ticks belonged to five species and Rhipicephalus spp. were widely distributed with the highest reported numbers as follows: Rhipicephalus sanguinaus 14 (16.28%), R. turanicus 11 (12.79%), R. bursa 7 (8.14%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus 4 (4.65%), and Hyalomma anatolicum 6 (6.98%). Two species of lice belonging to sucking lice, Linognathus stenopsis 22 (25.58%) and chewing lice of Bovicola caprae 15 (17.44%), were reported. The only identified flea species from the study was Ctenocephalides canis which was reported in 7 (8.14%). Recognized ectoparasites affect the health status and productivity of goats.