A rapid molecular method for diagnosing epidemic dermatophytosis in a racehorse facility.
Abstract: Identification of the species and strain of dermatophyte can play an effective role in control of disease outbreaks by establishing the source of infection. Current methods of identification are based on cultural and microscopic methods, often involving weeks before a positive identification are made. A rapid molecular diagnostic method would therefore be an important laboratory technique, but requires confirmation in equine clinical practice. Objective: To test the sensitivity and specificity of molecular diagnostic methods applied to a racehorse herd from the Korean Racehorse Authority (KRA). Methods: A total of 57 DNA samples were collected from hairs and crusts of skin lesions in KRA racehorses with histories and clinical signs suggestive of dermatophytosis, which was confirmed by dermatophyte-specific PCR amplification analysis using the primer pair for the chitin synthase 1 (CHS1) gene. Results: Thirty-eight racehorses were definitively diagnosed with dermatophytosis using molecular and traditional diagnostic methods. PCR fingerprinting profiles using simple repetitive (GACA)4 primers showed that all diagnosed horses had the same pattern profile. Oligonucleotide sequencing of CHS1 gene PCR products confirmed Trichophyton mentagrophytes as the infectious agent. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the PCR-based molecular diagnostic method is sensitive and specific and offers fast precise diagnosis of dermatophytosis in horses.
Publication Date: 2010-02-04 PubMed ID: 20121918DOI: 10.2746/042516409X475337Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article details a study into a quick molecular method for diagnosing a skin condition, known as dermatophytosis, in horses at a Korean racehorse facility. This method is based on the technical process of molecular diagnosis through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
Objective of the Study
The primary objective of the research is to examine the effectiveness and accuracy of molecular diagnostic methods for determining cases of dermatophytosis in racehorses at the Korean Racehorse Authority (KRA).
Methods Used
- A total of 57 DNA samples were gathered from hair and crusts of skin lesions in KRA racehorses.
- These horses showed signs and history suggestive of dermatophytosis.
- The supposed cases of dermatophytosis were confirmed by a specific PCR amplification analysis utilising the primer pair for the chitin synthase 1 (CHS1) gene.
Results of the Study
- Through the combination of molecular and traditional diagnostic methods, dermatophytosis was definitively diagnosed in 38 racehorses.
- PCR fingerprinting profiles were established using simple repetitive (GACA)4 primers, showing that all diagnosed horses had the same pattern profile.
- By sequencing the DNA of the CHS1 gene PCR products, Trichophyton mentagrophytes was confirmed as the infectious agent causing dermatophytosis.
Conclusions from the Research
- The study concluded that the PCR-based molecular diagnostic method is both sensitive and specific.
- This method delivers a fast and precise diagnosis of dermatophytosis in horses, offering potential for improving the control over disease outbreaks in similar settings.
Cite This Article
APA
Chung TH, Park GB, Lim CY, Park HM, Choi GC, Youn HY, Chae JS, Hwang CY.
(2010).
A rapid molecular method for diagnosing epidemic dermatophytosis in a racehorse facility.
Equine Vet J, 42(1), 73-78.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516409X475337 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Base Sequence
- DNA Fingerprinting / veterinary
- DNA, Fungal
- Dermatomycoses / diagnosis
- Dermatomycoses / epidemiology
- Dermatomycoses / veterinary
- Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Korea / epidemiology
- Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
- Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Jarjees KI, Issa NA. First study on molecular epidemiology of dermatophytosis in cats, dogs, and their companions in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Vet World 2022 Dec;15(12):2971-2978.
- Spesso MF, Nuncira CT, Burstein VL, Masih DT, Dib MD, Chiapello LS. Microsatellite-primed PCR and random primer amplification polymorphic DNA for the identification and epidemiology of dermatophytes. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2013 Aug;32(8):1009-15.
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