Molecular and sequencing study of Otodectes cynotis in cats in Karbala province/Iraq

Firas Alali

doi:10.23902/trkjnat.2025918

Molecular and sequencing study of Otodectes cynotis in cats in Karbala province/Iraq

Abstract

Background: Otodectes cynotis (Acari: Psoroptidae) is an obligate ectoparasite that primarily causes otodectic mange in both domestic and wild animals.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and distribution of the obligate ectoparasite O. cynotis (Acari: Psoroptidae) mites and the molecular sequences of isolates in Karbala province/Iraq.

Methods: For this purpose, 187 cats visiting the Teaching Animal Hospital at the University of Kerbala’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Karbala, Iraq were monitored for mites. The diagnosis was based on otoscopic examination of both ears, followed by microscopic confirmation based on ear swab samples. The prevalence was 46%. No significant relationship was found between infestation status and season, sex, body weight, age, or breed of the cats. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was performed to identify the species and evaluate the possible effects on domestic, isolated populations. PCR was performed for 10 isolates originating from three different breeds (Sherazi, Himalayan, and Scottish). The first internal transcribed spacer of rDNA was selected as the target sequence.

Results: Comparisons of sequences revealed two different newly sequenced Iraqi isolates, under accession numbers PV123832 and PV564189, which were closely related genotypes at the same node as the dog no. O. cynotis isolate. KP. 676677.1, although the closest genotyping was with one clade no. HK 728005.1.

Conclusion: Our findings clarified the genetic relationship, origins, and potential effects on endemic domestic cat populations, which do not distinguish between different host species or regions of origin. These findings should be considered in cat populations to avoid a potential epidemic of mite-borne zoonotic illnesses.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Kerbala (reference no. UOK.VET.MI.2025.113; dated 01.01.2025).

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Medical Parasitology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Firas Alali ^*
0000-0002-3438-6453
Iraq

Early Pub Date

June 12, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

October 11, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 9, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

DOI

https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.2025918

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA95WS99AR

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Alali, F. (2026). Molecular and sequencing study of Otodectes cynotis in cats in Karbala province/Iraq. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences, Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.2025918

AMA

1.Alali F. Molecular and sequencing study of Otodectes cynotis in cats in Karbala province/Iraq. Trakya Univ J Nat Sci. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.23902/trkjnat.2025918

Chicago

Alali, Firas. 2026. “Molecular and Sequencing Study of Otodectes Cynotis in Cats in Karbala Province Iraq”. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences, no. Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.2025918.

EndNote

Alali F (June 1, 2026) Molecular and sequencing study of Otodectes cynotis in cats in Karbala province/Iraq. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences Advanced Online Publication

IEEE

[1]F. Alali, “Molecular and sequencing study of Otodectes cynotis in cats in Karbala province/Iraq”, Trakya Univ J Nat Sci, no. Advanced Online Publication, June 2026, doi: 10.23902/trkjnat.2025918.

ISNAD

Alali, Firas. “Molecular and Sequencing Study of Otodectes Cynotis in Cats in Karbala Province Iraq”. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences. Advanced Online Publication (June 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.2025918.

JAMA

1.Alali F. Molecular and sequencing study of Otodectes cynotis in cats in Karbala province/Iraq. Trakya Univ J Nat Sci. 2026. doi:10.23902/trkjnat.2025918.

MLA

Alali, Firas. “Molecular and Sequencing Study of Otodectes Cynotis in Cats in Karbala Province Iraq”. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences, no. Advanced Online Publication, June 2026, doi:10.23902/trkjnat.2025918.

Vancouver

1.Firas Alali. Molecular and sequencing study of Otodectes cynotis in cats in Karbala province/Iraq. Trakya Univ J Nat Sci. 2026 Jun. 1;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.23902/trkjnat.2025918