Development of a pan-Babesia FRET-qPCR and a survey of livestock from five Caribbean islands.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
The study discusses the development of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, known as pan-Babesia FRET-qPCR, capable of detecting several types of Babesia – a tick-borne blood parasite in mammals. The test was used to analyze blood samples from livestock on five Caribbean islands. Results revealed that the majority (70%) of the animals tested were carrying these parasites.
Development of the Test
- Researchers utilized the Clustal Multiple Alignment program along with 18S rRNA gene sequences of 22 different Babesia species available in an online genetic sequence database, GenBank, to devise the pan-Babesia FRET-qPCR.
- This test was then validated, confirming it could effectively identify six species of Babesia under controlled conditions.
- The developed test demonstrated specificity as well – it did not react with closely related species such as Hepatozoon americanum, Theileria equi, and Toxoplasma gondii.
Testing in Caribbean Livestock
- The pan-Babesia FRET-qPCR was applied to analyze DNA from whole blood samples from 752 domestic animals including cattle, sheep, goats, donkeys, and horses across five Caribbean islands.
- The test successfully detected expected Babesia species in cattle (B. bovis and B. bigemina) and in horses and donkeys (B. caballi).
- Interestingly, the test also identified Babesia species that are typically associated with different hosts. For instance, B. vogeli and B. gibsoni were found in cattle, sheep, and goats, B. rossi in goats, and B. caballi in goats and sheep.
- Furthermore, the test was instrumental in identifying unknown species of Babesia in various livestock.
Prevalence of Babesia Infections
- Results from the study demonstrated a high occurrence of Babesia spp. infections in Caribbean livestock, confirming earlier limited studies. Approximately 70% (525 out of 752) of the tested animals were found to be infected.
The detection and prevalence of Babesia species in Caribbean livestock obtained from this study is vital for both animal health and potential zoonotic transmission to humans. The pan-Babesia FRET-qPCR provides a powerful tool for detecting these parasites and can aid in more comprehensive epidemiological studies and improved parasite management strategies in the future.
Cite This Article
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, P. R. China. lijing900401@163.com.
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies. pkelly@rossvet.edu.kn.
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, P. R. China. zhangjilei0103@163.com.
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, P. R. China. clxu@yzu.edu.cn.
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, 225009, P. R. China. wangcm@yzu.edu.cn.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Babesia / genetics
- Babesia / isolation & purification
- Babesiosis / diagnosis
- Babesiosis / epidemiology
- Base Sequence
- DNA, Protozoan / genetics
- Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer / methods
- Livestock
- Phylogeny
- Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
- Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- Prevalence
- RNA, Protozoan
- RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Species Specificity
- West Indies / epidemiology
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