New insights into the prevalence and phylogenetic diversity of Cysticercus ovis isolates in sheep from Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Although ovine cysticercosis is not a zoonotic problem, it results in substantial economic losses due to the condemnation of infected tissues or entire carcasses. This study aimed to record preliminary data on the prevalence, and phylogenetic diversity of isolates from slaughtered sheep in the province of Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. From January to September 2020, 6, 411 slaughtered sheep were examined for by routine meat inspection. The amplification and sequence analysis of the COX1 gene for up to 35 specimens of was performed using conventional PCR. The overall prevalence rate was 1.3%, and the prevalence was significantly higher in older sheep (>1 year) than younger ones (