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A two-step species-specific 16S rRNA PCR assay for the detection of Taylorella equigenitalis in horses.
Abstract: : A two-step PCR assay was developed for the molecular detection of Taylorella equigenitalis, a Gram-negative genital bacterial pathogen in horses. Two specific oligonucleotide primers (TE16SrRNABCHf [25mer] and TE16SrRNABCHr [29mer]) were designed from multiple alignments of the 16S rRNA gene loci of several closely related taxa, including T. asinigenitalis. Subsequent enhanced surveillance of 250 Thoroughbred animals failed to detect the presence of this organism directly from clinical swabs taken from the genital tract of mares and stallions. Such a molecular approach offers a sensitive and specific alternative to conventional culture techniques, and has the potential to lead to improved diagnosis and subsequent management of horses involved in breeding programmes.
Publication Date: 2005-03-01 PubMed ID: 21851668PubMed Central: PMC3113911DOI: 10.1186/2046-0481-58-3-146Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The researchers developed a two-step PCR assay to detect Taylorella equigenitalis, a bacterial pathogen that affects horses’ reproductive systems. The new method is more sensitive and specific compared to traditional culture techniques, and the results of testing 250 Thoroughbred horses did not indicate the presence of this organism.
Introduction to the Research
- The focus of this study was Taylorella equigenitalis, a Gram-negative bacteria that affects the genital tracts of horses.
- The researchers worked on designing a new and more effective method for detecting the presence of this bacterium.
Development of the PCR Assay
- Scientists developed a two-step PCR assay, a commonly used molecular biology technique that amplifies a single or few copies of a piece of DNA in order to generate thousands to millions of copies of a particular DNA sequence.
- The primers TE16SrRNABCHf and TE16SrRNABCHr (having 25 and 29 base pairs respectively) were set up for the PCR assay. These primers were specifically designed from multiple alignments of the 16S rRNA gene loci of several closely related taxa.
- The genus Taylorella contains other closely related species such as T. asinigenitalis, and so these were taken into account when designing the assay to ensure specificity for Taylorella equigenitalis.
Testing the PCR Assay
- The new PCR assay was tested on 250 Thoroughbred horses. The samples were clinical swabs taken from the genital tracts of both male and female horses.
- The surveillance did not detect presence of Taylorella equigenitalis which suggests either the absence of the bacterium in the tested population or the effectiveness of the test in ruling out its presence.
The Potential Impact of the New PCR Assay
- The designed PCR assay provides a more sensitive and specific alternative to conventional culture techniques.
- The method could potentially improve early diagnosis and thus better management of equine breeding programmes by identifying carriers of the pathogen and preventing its spread.
Cite This Article
APA
Buckley TC, Millar BC, Egan CL, Gibson P, Cosgrove H, Stanbridge S, Matsuda M, Moore JE.
(2005).
A two-step species-specific 16S rRNA PCR assay for the detection of Taylorella equigenitalis in horses.
Ir Vet J, 58(3), 146-149.
https://doi.org/10.1186/2046-0481-58-3-146 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co Kildare, Republic of Ireland. iec@equine-centre.ie.
References
This article includes 12 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Kinoshita Y, Kakoi H, Ishige T, Yamanaka T, Niwa H, Uchida-Fujii E, Nukada T, Ueno T. Comparison of seven nucleic acid amplification tests for detection of Taylorella equigenitalis. J Vet Med Sci 2022 Jan 24;84(1):129-132.
- Nadin-Davis S, Knowles MK, Burke T, Böse R, Devenish J. Comparison of culture versus quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for the detection of Taylorella equigenitalis in field samples from naturally infected horses in Canada and Germany. Can J Vet Res 2015 Jul;79(3):161-9.
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