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First molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of Neospora caninum DNA from naturally infected goats in Northwest Tunisia

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Abstract

Neospora caninum is an intracellular protozoan parasite from the phylum Apicomplexa, mainly associated with abortions and causing enormous economic losses. We aimed, by the present study, to estimate the molecular prevalence and phylogenetic analyses of natural infection with N. caninum in Tunisian goats. A total number of 121 meat samples were collected from slaughtered goats in the regional slaughterhouse of Béja (Northwest Tunisia) and tested from N. caninum ITS1 gene using PCR followed by sequencing of PCR products. Phylogenetic analyses were used to identify this parasite infecting goats in Nortwest Tunisia. The overall molecular prevalence was 19% (23/121). The highest molecular prevalence of N. caninum was observed in goats aged between 2 and 4 years (31.9 ± 13.27%) (P = 0.004). There was no difference in the overall molecular prevalence of N. caninum according to both localities and animal breeds. Comparison of the partial sequences of the ITS1 gene revealed 99-100% similarity with GenBank sequences. A high similarity with all the blasted genotypes was reported for N. caninum sequences. This is the first molecular study and genetic characterisation of N. caninum in North African goats.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Univ. Manouba, Institution de la Recherche et de l’Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia

    Yosra Amdouni, Safa Amairia, Yousra Said & Mohamed Gharbi

  2. Regional Slaughterhouse of Béja, 9000, Tunisia

    Sofia Awadi

Authors
  1. Yosra Amdouni
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  2. Safa Amairia
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  3. Yousra Said
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  4. Sofia Awadi
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  5. Mohamed Gharbi
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Correspondence to Yosra Amdouni.

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Amdouni, Y., Amairia, S., Said, Y. et al. First molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of Neospora caninum DNA from naturally infected goats in Northwest Tunisia. Acta Parasit. 63, 709–714 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1515/ap-2018-0083

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ap-2018-0083

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