Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41528612›Full record

ArticleActa parasitologica2026

Unveiling Hidden Threats: Molecular Detection and Genetic Diversity of Hepatozoon spp. and Toxoplasma Gondii in Wild Rodents of Saudi Arabia and Their Ectoparasites.

Maryam Ijaz, Samia Q Alghamdi, Abdullah D Alanazi, Mubashra Salim, Muhammad Naeem, Muhammad Ali, Shabana Mukhtiar, Kasim Sakran Abass, Hira Muqaddas, Adil Khan and 1 more

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Article in Acta parasitologica, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

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11 authors.

Maryam Ijaz *Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, 60800, Pakistan.
Samia Q Alghamdi *College of Science, Al-Baha University, 65779-77388, Alaqiq, Al Baha Province, Saudi Arabia.
Abdullah D Alanazi *Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Shaqra University, P.O. Box 1040, 11911, Ad-Dawadimi, Saudi Arabia.
Mubashra SalimInstitute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, 60800, Pakistan.
Muhammad NaeemInstitute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, 60800, Pakistan.
Muhammad AliInstitute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, 60800, Pakistan.
Shabana MukhtiarInstitute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, 60800, Pakistan.
Kasim Sakran AbassCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Kirkuk, Kirkuk, 36001, Iraq.
Hira MuqaddasDepartment of Zoology, The Women University, Multan, 60800, Pakistan.
Adil KhanDepartment of Botany and Zoology, Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 24420, Pakistan. dradilkhan@bkuc.edu.pk.
Furhan IqbalCollege of Science, Al-Baha University, 65779-77388, Alaqiq, Al Baha Province, Saudi Arabia. furhan.iqbal@bzu.edu.pk.

Funding

Albaha University 8/1442
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposePresent investigation was designed to report the PCR based presence of Hepatozoon spp., Plasmodium spp., Haemoproteus spp., Leucocytozoan spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum nd phylogenetic diversity of detected pathogens in the blood samples of four wild rodent species (Meriones rex, Acomys dimidiatus, Myomys yemeni and Rattus rattus). Ectoparasites infesting these rodents were also reported.

methodsA total of 54 rodents and 365 ecto-parasites infesting them were collected during August till October 2020 from Al Makhwah governorate in Saudi Arabia. PCR-base approached was used for the detection of parasites in rodent bloods followed by their DNA sequence based confirmation and phylogenetic analysis.

resultsHepatozoon spp. and T. gondii were detected by PCR in seven (13%), and one (2%) out of 54 analyzed rodents, respectively. Meriones rex and Myomys yemeni were found infected with Hepatozoon spp., while T. gondii was detected only in Myomys yemeni. Phylogenetic analysis of both pathogens showed that Saudi isolates were closely related to isolates previously reported from various countries worldwide. Ecto-parasites infesting three rodent species included ticks (Haemaphysalis and Rhipicephalus spp.), fleas (Parapulex chephrensis), mites (Laelaps echidninus) and lice. Myomys yemeni had no ecto-parasite infestation. Female Meriones rex was significantly more prone to Hepatozoon spp. infection than males.

conclusionThis is the first report that Saudi rodents are infected with Hepatozoon spp. and T. gondii. More large scale studies are recommended for the better understanding of the host-parasite interactions.

Indexed as

CoccidiosisEctoparasitic InfestationsEucoccidiidaGenetic VariationRodent DiseasesRodentiaToxoplasmaToxoplasmosis, AnimalAnimalsAnimals, WildDNA, ProtozoanFemaleMalePhylogenyPolymerase Chain ReactionRatsDNA, ProtozoanHepatozoon spp.PCRPhylogenetic analysisSaudi arabiaToxoplasma gondiiWild rodents

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PMID41528612

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