Molecular detection and genetic characterization of Trichomonas gallinae in falcons in Saudi Arabia

Avian trichomonosis is primarily caused by Trichomonas gallinae, a flagellated protozoan parasite that especially infects the upper digestive tract of columbid bird species and their avian predators. However, this parasite has recently been found to be distributed worldwide in various other avian species. This parasitic disease is common in captive falcons in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. This study aimed to examine and identify the genetic variation of T. gallinae obtained from three species of falcons in Saudi Arabia via the sequencing analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Swab samples from 97 saker falcons (Falco cherrug), 24 peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) and 37 gyrfalcons (Falco rusticolus) were cultured and analysed for infection between 2018 and 2019. The overall prevalence of infection by T. gallinae was 26.58% (n = 42), of which 35 (83.33%) were collected from Riyadh region and seven (16.67%) were collected from Qassim region. The results indicate the presence of four genotypes of T. gallinae in Saudi falcons: A, C, II, and KSA11. This study reports for the first time genetic diversity of T. gallinae in these falcons in Saudi Arabia.