Molecular Identification of Hepatozoon canis in Ticks from Dogs in Siirt, Turkey

HEPATAZOON species are tick borne protozoan parasites classified in the Heptazoidae family, and they are closely related to hemosporinids and piroplasms. In this work, the 18S rRNA genetic section of Hepatozoon canispositive ticks removed from dogs was sequenced using the PCR technique. Ticks were collected from a total of 80 dogs in Siirt, Turkey.A total of 300 collected ticks were morphologically identified to the species level and all ticks identified as Rhipicephalussanguineus (s.l.). H. canis DNA was detected in 12 (%4) out of 300 in R. sanguineusticks by PCR. The phylogenetic tree created via comparison of amplified 18S rRNA region sequences of H. caniswith MT107097.1, MH595911.1, KT215377.1, KT 215376.1, KC 584780.1, KC 584777.1, KC 584775.1, and KC 584774.1. The results obtained will provide important reference material for both veterinary cliniciansand dog owners in terms of managing canine hepatozoonosis.