Molecular Detection and Differentiation of , and in Blood of Goats and Ticks in Kermanshah Province, Iran.

Background: This study was carried out to identify spp. infections in goats and ticksin Kermanshah Province, western Iran from May-Sep 2015.

Methods: For differentiation of different spp. both blood and tick samples were examined by nested PCR-RFLP.

Results: Light microscopy of blood smears revealed spp. infection in 22 (5.5%), while 68 (17%) of blood samples were positive using nested PCR. Out of 68 positive samples, 85.3% (58/68) and 11.7% (8/68) were respectively positive for and . Mixed infection was detected in 3% (2/68) cases. Overall, 420 ixodid ticks belong to seven different hard ticks species were collected from goats. 112 (26.7%), 95 (22.6%), , 91(21.7%), , 55(13.1%), 27(6.4%), , 22(5.3%) and , 18(4.2%) were the main tick species infesting goats. The PCR products obtained from ticks were subjected to the differentiation of species. Respectively, 2 and 8 pools of and salivary glands were infected with and . In addition, and infection weredetected in three pools of .

Conclusion: This is the first report of goats and collected ticks to spp infection in Iran. The results suggest that has a higher prevalence than . It is also postulated , and might play an important role in the field as a vector of spp in this area.