This survey was done to investigate the prevalence of internal parasites in the intestine of dogs in Duhok province from February to October 2015. A total of 270 sheep-keepers, owned, pet and stray dogs' fecal samples from most areas in Duhok province were collected and examined by flotation technique, sedimentation technique and direct smear. During this study Spirocerca lupi (0.7%) and Uncernia stenocephala (2%) were recorded for the first time in Kurdistan region; while Diplydium caninum (16.7%), Strongyloides spp. (1.9%), Ancylostoma caninum (2.2%), Isosporaspp (9.3%), cyst of Giardia (5.2%), Hymenolepis nana (1.9%), Eimeria oocyst (3.7%), Taenia spp. (13.7%) and trematode eggs (1.9%) were recorded for the first time in dogs of Duhok province. The overall percentage of intestinal parasites in dogs was 65.9%.

This study performed molecular detection and analysis of the heterogeneity of the 18S rRNA gene isolates obtained from equids such as horse, mule, donkey and pony from Erbil province, Kurdistan region of Iraq. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) indicated that 76/136 (55.88%) of equine were infected with piroplasms, with Theileria equi (P=41.91%; CI=3.76-14.77%) more prevalent than Babesia caballi (P=8.82%; CI=1.00%), while mixed infection was less (P=5.15%; CI=0.21-1.46%) with a significant difference (P<0.001). There was a significant association between the prevalence of T. equi and recreation (p<0.03) or racing (p<0.02), and but neither the type of equids nor the gender and age groups was significantly associated with prevalence. The obtained sequences were utilized for characterizing the genotypes and phylogeny of both the protozoa. BLAST analysis indicated 98-100% similarity to species isolated in Turkey, Malaysia, Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, Iran, Brazil and South Africa. Four 18S rRNA genotype clades were observed for T. equi (A, B, C and D) and two for B. caballi (A and B). Genetic variation found among the equids in Erbil province is probably due to introduction of equines from other countries without quarantine measures. This study indicates that infection with T. equi is more prevalent than that of B. caballi in the studied area.

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The present study was conducted to detect of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in Ixodid ticks collected from equids in Erbil province, Northern Iraq. A total of (98) adult ticks, belong to the five species from three ixodid genera (two species belong to the genus Hyalomma (Hyalomma marginatum marginatum and H. anatolicum exacavatum), two species belong to the genus Boophilus (Boophilus microplus and B. annulatus) and one species belong to the genus Rhipicephalus (Rhipicephalus turanicus) were collected from 349 equids. Fifty DNA ticks (10 for each tick species) were chosen for molecular analyses to detect of T. equi and B. caballi using conventional and multiplex polymerase chain reaction technique (c-PCR, m-PCR) targeting 18S rRNA gene. Out of analyzed ticks, Boophilus annulatus was the most prevalent tick species (39.8%), whereas the lowest was Hyalomma exacavatum (10.2%). The multiplex PCR finding revealed that five ticks species including (Hyalomma marginatum marginatum, Hyalomma anatolicum exacavatum, Boophilus microplus, Boophilus annulatus and Rhipocephalus turanicus) were infected with T. equi, while only one species Rhipocephalus turanicus and Boophilus annulatus was found infected with Babesia caballi and both protozoa respectively.

Background: Equine piroplasmosis is a major tick-borne disease that can lead to serious health problems and economic losses in horse industry. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi in different species of Equus namely (Horse, mule, donkey and pony) by Giemsa stained blood films and competitive ELISA. Methods: This study was conducted at various geographic areas of Erbil governorate.  A total of 349 blood samples from equine (209 horses, 62 mule, 57 donkey and 21 ponies) were collected to estimate the prevalence rate of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi by using Giemsa stained blood smear and competitive ELISA. Results: The overall prevalence rates were (10.6%) consisting of (8.3%), (1.7%) and (0.6) for T. equi, B. caballi and both infection respectively by Giemsa stained blood smears, and the rate was 38.97%, consisting of 20.9% for T. equi, 11.2% for B. caballi and 6.9% for both infection by cELISA. Seroprevalence rate of T. equi was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than that B. caballi in equids. There was also a significant difference associated between age (P < 0.01), activity (P < 0.01), management (P < 0.001) and tick infestation (P < 0.001), but neither the type of equids nor the gender was significant differences associated with prevalence rate. Conclusion: The present study concluded that the equine piroplasmosis is a vital infection distributed among the equine in Erbil province North of Iraq. Thus a better control programme should be implemented to contain and control the prevalence of the disease within the area.