Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of microsporidia in water and soil in Mosul city

Background: Microsporidia are opportunistic intracellular parasites that cause a variety of illnesses in humans. There is little information available regarding the frequency of this parasite in human cases of diarrhea and cancer. Aim: This study's primary objectives are to identify microsporidia in soil and water samples, determine the relationships between microsporidia by using sequencing analysis in the targeted area, and look into the genetic diversity of microsporidia originating from domestic, farm, and wild animals. Methods: The current investigation was conducted from March to December of 2023. In total, 35 water samples and 20 soil samples have been obtained from 12 and 5 locations in Mosul city, respectively, for this investigation. Every sample was moved to the main laboratory of the College of Science and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Mosul, Iraq. Results: The results of the present study showed that Microsporidia were found in water at a prevalence rate of 45.7% (16/35) and in soil at a rate of 45% (9/20). In Mosul, the various regions have varying rates of Microsporidia prevalence. Microsporidia having a molecular weight of 1,300 bp were found using the polymerase chain reaction technique, which was attributed to the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene. Furthermore, the results of the current investigation indicate that three of the Microsporidia were Enterocytozoon bieneusi, , which has a molecular weight of 400 bp, based on the ITS gene utilizing the inner primer, while none was found in soil. With a molecular weight of 260 bp, the SSU rRNA gene of Microsporidia was found in water and in soil. However, in accordance with each species' unique DNA discovered in soil and water, none of the Encephalitozoon intestinalis, , Encephalitozoon cuniculi, , or Encephalitozoon hellem were found. Twelve novel sequences found 9 sequences of Microsporidia and 3 sequences of E. bieneusi). Conclusion: The study demonstrated a water is the main source of Microsporidia and is highly similarity to some of the microsporidia detected in this study. Furthermore, Microsporidia found in our study showed a close relationship with Microsporidia isolated from different countries in the world.