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Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) infection in sheep results in contagious ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA). The aim of this study was to detect the presence of JSRV in Iraqi Awassi sheep of Al-Qadisiyah Province using reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). Lung secretion samples from 50 adult sheep (1.5 to 2-year-old) during 2016-2018 that were suffering from chronic respiratory distress with suspected clinical OPA were collected. RT-PCR assay for detection of JSRV was conducted using primers specific for its 382 bp envelope protein gene. The results showed that 22 of the 50 (44%) lung secretion samples were positive for JSRV. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed the JSRV sequence detected in the local Iraqi sheep population was closely related to NCBI BLAST locus isolates KT279066.1 and KT279065.1. The study found that the JSRV disease is prevalent in the Iraqi Awassi sheep flocks and that the local JSRV isolate is genetically divergent from most other global isolates.

The study was aimed to determine the Rota viral infection rates in diarrheic calves and effectiveness of some epidemiological factors on that rate in some provinces in Mid-Euphrates region in Iraq (Babylon, Al-Najaf, Karbala, Al-Qadisyia provinces). A total of 530 calves aged between 1-60 day were examined and fifty fecal (50) samples were collected from diarrheic calves only within six months period from November-2012 to April -2013. The fecal samples were examined for the presence of rotavirus by rapid rotavirus test (screening test), as well as the clinical examination for these diarrheic calves were done. The rapid test demonstrated that the rotavirus infection rate was 18/50 (36%). A 45.4% of rotavirus infection was found in calves less than 30 days of age which was significantly higher than 28.5% calves (30-60) days old. Male and female (37.5%, 40% respectively) were seen infected without any significant differences. The main clinical signs observed on rotavirus diarrheic calves were include, watery voluminous diarrhea with profound weakness and mild depression, so as temperature, respiration, heart rates could be decreased and appetite was changeable towards loss or anorectic. In Babylon, the highest rotavirus infection rate was recorded 60%, and less rates in Karbala 20% and 40%, 33% in AL-Najaf and AL-Qadisyia provinces respectively. The rotavirus infection rate in diarrheic calves was affected by months significantly, which it was higher at January 75%, so as in November 50%, December 40% and February 33.3%, but not recorded in March and April.

Aim: This study aimed to conduct a clinical-histopathological and molecular evaluation of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) in Awassi sheep in various regions of Al-Qadisiyah Province, Iraq. Materials and Methods: A total of 150 sheep were clinically evaluated, and the wheelbarrow test was performed. 100 samples (35 blood, 25 lung tissue, 20 lymph node, and 20 lung fluid samples) were randomly selected from living and slaughtered sheep. All samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Histopathological examinations were performed for four lung tissue and two lymph node samples. Results: A diagnosis of OPA was made based on the results of the clinical examination and the clinical signs shown by the animals, such as dyspnea, polypnea, coughing, mucous nasal discharge, moist rales on auscultation of the affected lungs, and emaciation. Interestingly, the animals tested positive for the wheelbarrow test, with frothy nares accompanied by profuse and clear lung fluid. Histopathological examination showed various lesions such as glandular transformation in the lung tissues and emphysema. Moreover, lymph nodes showed marked follicular atrophy and necrosis-associated lymphocyte infiltration in the affected tissues. PCR revealed that 25% of the samples including eight (22.8%) blood, five (20%) lung tissue, five (25%) lymph node, and seven (35%) lung fluid samples were positive for Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus; this result was highly significant. Conclusion: The results of our study indicated that in Iraq, OPA diagnosis should be based on pathological findings and results of advanced procedures such as PCR.

Anaplasma spp. are widely spread rickettsial bacteria transmitted by ticks and placing high impacts on veterinary and public health. A limited number of studies have been carried out on Anaplasmosis in the central part of Iraq. This study was conducted to determine the presence of Anaplasma spp. in cattle in Al-Qadisiyah province, Iraq. A total of 400 blood specimens were collected from cattle suffering from heavy tick infestation. Cattle were blood-sampled from four hyper-endemic areas with ticks. Blood samples were screened using microscopic and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. Diff-quick stained blood smears revealed Anaplasma-like inclusion bodies in 254 (63.5%) samples. According to the 16S rRNA-gene-based PCR analysis, Anaplasma spp. was detected in 124 of the 400 (31%) samples, divided as 96/254 (37.8%) among the microscopical positive samples and 28/146 (19.17%) among the microscopical negative samples. Phylogenetic analysis based on the partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing of ten-PCR positive samples were 99–97% identical to sequences deposited in the GenBank, revealing presence of A. phagocytophilum, A. marginale and unnamed Anaplasma spp. in 40%, 20%, and 40% samples, respectively. Relationships among Anaplasma spp. infections and cattle breed, age, and sex were analyzed. Calves less than one year old showed significantly higher rates (p<0.005) than those from other age groups, whereas sex and breed demonstrated no significant differences (p˃0.001). This study shows that a variety of Anaplasma spp., were endemic in central part of Iraq and is still a hidden problem in cattle in the hyperendemic areas of tick, which requires serious control strategies.

The present study was carried out on 500 of small ruminants ( sheep and goats ) to determine the prevalence of Coxielosis in small ruminants in AL-Qassim city by using ELISA test .The results showed 16% of small ruminants in AL-Qassim city were seropositive to coxiellosis . Infection in sheep ( 19.4% ) was higher than in goat (8% ) .The persent studywas concluded that coxiellosis did not affected by sex and age of examined animals.

     Four hundred fecal samples from diarrheic calves of both sexes (1-60 days old) from four Iraqi Mid-Euphrates governorates (Babylon, Al-Najaf, Karbala and Al-Qadissiyiah) were collected to investigate rotavirus type A infection by using Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction technique. The results showed that infection rates were (14%), while the high rate (20%) was found in age of (1-30 days), however non-significant values were related to animal gender. Moreover, a high infection was recorded at January (29.5%) and the rotraviral infection was recorded in four provinces but the higher was in Babylon (23%). The clinical examination of infected calves showed voluminous watery diarrhea, profound weakness and mild depression; the body temperature, respiration and heart rates were decreased significantly and appetite was changeable towards loss or anorectic.

The study was aimed to investigate the mycotic mastitis in sheep during the period from October 2011 to May 2012 in different areas of Al-Diwaniya province. 253 ewes were examined, and from which 500 milk samples were collected (495 samples from apparently healthy ewes that examined by California Mastitis Test (CMT ) in addition to five samples from sheep infected with clinical mastitis) for isolation and identification of yeasts and molds adopted the method of culturing on Saboaurad Dextrose and Corn meal agar in addition to Chrome agar and biochemical tests as well as specific yeast kits (Integral system yeast plus) for diagnosing the mycotic agents. Results were indicate that the incidence of mastitis in ewes was 17.8%, while the percentage of mycotic mastitis was 9.4%, (0.4% and 9% of clinical and subclinical forms respectively). Yeasts were isolated and identified grossly by colony shape, size, and color, and by biochemical testing which represents 9.61% of the fungal causes, and the yeasts isolates were Candida famata and Rhodotorula rubra from the clinical cases of mastitis only. Molds 90.38% also were isolated, as a high isolates of Asperigllus niger 28.84%, Asperigllus flavus 23%, Asperigllus fumigauts 17.30%, Pencillium spp 13.33%, Asperigllus terrus 5.76%, and the least percentage of isolation 3.84% was of the fusarium spp.