SEQUENCING ANALYSIS OF ITS2 GENE OF DAVAINEIDAE OF FERAL PIGEONS

Authors

  • Mohammad. T. Al-Zubaidi Department parasitօlogy, Cօllege of veterinary Medicine, University օf Baghdad, Iraq
  • Athmar .K. Abbas Department parasitօlogy, Cօllege of veterinary Medicine, University օf Baghdad, Iraq
  • Amer. R. Alhaboubi Department parasitօlogy, Cօllege of veterinary Medicine, University օf Baghdad, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36103/wh9yhk08

Keywords:

Iraq, PCR, specific primers, Raillietina spp

Abstract

The aims of this study to validate a specific primer to confirmatory identification of three Raillietina species in naturally infected feral pigeons (Columba livia). Initially intestinal examinations were conducted on 55 birds, revealing the presence of Davaineidae through morphological identification. The primers previously designed targeting ITS2 region. The results showed that 35 (63.6%) of the examined birds were infected with cestoda. Molecularly, DNA was extracted from 60 cestode samples. The primers successfully amplified specific species without cross-amplifying of other parasites or host DNA. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product were approximately 473, 352, and 397 bp, respectively. Subsequent Sanger sequencing revealed the molecular identification of R. echinobothrida, R. tetragona, and R. cesticillus. The primers usefully can be used for detecting cysticercoids for all parasite stages in pigeons and other poultry for epidemiological surveys, as well as for the management and control of infection.

Received: 6/5/2025

Accepted: 17/8/2025

Published: 30/9/2026

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Published

2026-09-30

Issue

Vol. 57 No. 9 (2026)

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Mohammad. T. Al-Zubaidi, Athmar .K. Abbas , Amer. R. Alhaboubi

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How to Cite

Al-Zubaidi, M., Abbas , A., & Alhaboubi, A. (2026). SEQUENCING ANALYSIS OF ITS2 GENE OF DAVAINEIDAE OF FERAL PIGEONS. IRAQI JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, 57(9), 2562-2571. https://doi.org/10.36103/wh9yhk08