GENETIC DIVERSITY ANALYSIS OF ANOPHELES STEPHENSI IN CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN OF IRAQ USING PCR BASED TECHNOLOGY

A diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay using species-specific primers and direct sequencing was used to identify members of the Anopheles species in the central and southern regions in Republic of Iraq. Specimens were collected from 8 provinces during 2 seasonal activities in 2006–2007, identified morphologically and subjected to PCR assay and direct sequencing. Results showed that one species, Anopheles stephensi, was present in the study area. This was confirmed by the high similarity (98%–100%) of their sequences with those available in the International GenBank (IGB). The molecular data and relative distribution of this species in relation to their vectorial capacity and the epidemiology of malaria in the region were discussed. The sequence of this species was submitted in the IGB in No. Bankit1046145 and Bankit1046146 then fixed as new record in lraq according to the IGB in No. EU346652 and EU346653 respectively.