Molecular Detection of Entamoeba spp. in Monkeys (Macaca spp.) in Babylon Province, Iraq

Amoebiasis is a widespread parasitic disease caused by Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica), affecting various hosts, such as humans, birds, and pigs. This study aimed to investigate Entamoeba spp. in monkeys (Macaca spp.) diagnose them using molecular methods. A total of 33 fecal samples were collected from monkeys (Macaca spp.) aged 3-5 years in Babylon province to investigate a common and zoonotic parasitic disease. Initially, microscopic examination was conducted on all samples, and those yielding positive results were preserved for molecular study. The DNA was extracted, and conventional PCR was carried out with a pair of primers to detect the 857 bp fragment of E. histolytica SSU rRNA gene. PCR results for 19 fecal samples, previously identified as positive by the direct smear method, from monkeys in the reserves of Babylon province indicated that the presence of the SSUrRNA gene with an 857 bp was 45% in only 15 samples. Sequencing of the SSUrRNA gene revealed 98-100% similarity with E.histolytica sequences deposited in International GenBank, which have the sequence numbers OP522013, OP522014, OP522015, OP522016, OP522017, Op626161, Op626162, Op626163, Op626164, and Op626165.