Metagenomic Studies for the Detection of Parelaphostrongylus odocoilei, Ostertagia leptospicularis and Eimeria ahsata in Northern Cyprus Sheep for the First Time

Abstract

Background: Gastrointestinal parasitism is considered one of the major health problems of ruminants in developing and undeveloped countries in the world. Despite the universal knowledge of these parasites, little is known about their prevalence and distribution in Northern Cyprus. This study is aimed at the microscopic and metagenomic study of gastrointestinal parasites across Cyprus sheep farms. Methods: A total of 200 sheep faecal samples were randomly collected across sheep farms in suburban regions of Northern Cyprus during 2021-22. Samples were analyzed using the centrifugal floatation technique. Data were subjected to chi-square test analysis on SPSS to determine the relationship between age, sex of animals and prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes. Samples were randomly selected to extract DNA and subjected to metagenomic analysis after which DNA has been extracted from the samples. Result: Our investigations in the Northern Cyprus sheep farms allowed us to identify three species of gastrointestinal parasites namely Parelaphostrongylus odocoilei, Ostertagia leptospicularis and Eimeria ahsata which are new to this region. The GINs recovered are Haemonchus, Moniezia and Toxocara among others. A high prevalence (85%) of gastrointestinal parasites was recorded. Results showed a considerable significant relationship (P less than 0.05) between the age of animals and parasite prevalence.