Mahvish Maqbool
University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan
Title: Molecular Screening of Piroplasm from Ticks Collected from Sialkot, Gujranwala and Gujarat Districts of Punjab, Pakistan
Biography
Biography: Mahvish Maqbool
Abstract
Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae); bloodsucking parasites of domestic animals, have significant importance in transmission of diseases and causing huge economic losses. The aim of this study was to screen endophilic ticks for the Piroplasms using polymerase chain reaction in three districts Sialkot, Gujranwala and Gujarat of Punjab, Pakistan. Ticks were dissected under stereomicroscope and internal organs (midguts& salivary glands) were procured to generate pools of optimum weights. DNA extraction was done through standard protocol followed by primer specific PCR for Piroplasma spp. A total of 22.95% tick pools were found positive for piroplasma spp. In districts Sialkot and Gujranwala Piroplasma prevalence is higher in riverine animals while in Gujarat Prevalence is higher in non-riverine animals. Female animals were found more prone to piroplasma as compared to males. This study will provide useful data on the distribution of Piroplasma in the vector population of the study area and devise future recommendations for better management of ruminants to avoid subclinical and clinical infections and vector transmitted diseases.