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International journal for parasitology1995; 25(3); 359-365; doi: 10.1016/0020-7519(94)00116-6

Differences in a ribosomal DNA sequence of Strongylus species allows identification of single eggs.

Abstract: In the current study, molecular techniques were evaluated for the species identification of individual strongyle eggs. Adult worms of Strongylus edentatus, S. equinus and S. vulgaris were collected at necropsy from horses from Australia and the U.S.A. Genomic DNA was isolated and a ribosomal transcribed spacer (ITS-2) amplified and sequenced using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. The length of the ITS-2 sequence of S. edentatus, S. equinus and S. vulgaris ranged between 217 and 235 nucleotides. Extensive sequence analysis demonstrated a low degree (0-0.9%) of intraspecific variation in the ITS-2 for the Strongylus species examined, whereas the levels of interspecific differences (13-29%) were significantly greater. Interspecific differences in the ITS-2 sequences allowed unequivocal species identification of single worms and eggs using PCR-linked restriction fragment length polymorphism. These results demonstrate the potential of the ribosomal spacers as genetic markers for species identification of single strongyle eggs from horse faeces.
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Publication Date: 1995-03-01 PubMed ID: 7601594DOI: 10.1016/0020-7519(94)00116-6Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 research focuses on the use of molecular techniques to identify individual parasite eggs of the Strongylus species found in horses. This detection is made possible through differences in a ribosomal DNA sequence within these species.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers collected adult worms of Strongylus edentatus, S. equinus, and S. vulgaris from horses in both Australia and the U.S.A.
  • Genomic DNA was isolated from these worms and a ribosomal transcribed spacer (ITS-2) was amplified and sequenced using a technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
  • The ITS-2 sequence length of these species ranged between 217 and 235 nucleotides.

Findings

  • The analysis of the ITS-2 sequence showed a low level of variation (0-0.9%) within a single Strongylus species, termed intraspecific variation.
  • However, the research found no significantly greater level of differences, known as interspecific differences, between the ITS-2 sequences of different species. The variation was between 13-29%.
  • These considerable interspecific differences in the ITS-2 sequences allowed the researchers to identify the species of single worms and eggs using PCR-linked restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Conclusion

  • The findings indicate that the ribosomal spacers, particularly the ITS-2 sequence, can be effectively used as genetic markers to identify individual Strongylus species eggs in horse feces.
  • The implication of this research is the potential for precisely identifying and treating equine strongyle infections, which are a common health issue in horses globally.

Cite This Article

APA
Campbell AJ, Gasser RB, Chilton NB. (1995). Differences in a ribosomal DNA sequence of Strongylus species allows identification of single eggs. Int J Parasitol, 25(3), 359-365. https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-7519(94)00116-6

Publication

International journal for parasitology
ISSN: 0020-7519
NlmUniqueID: 0314024
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 25
Issue: 3
Pages: 359-365

Researcher Affiliations

Campbell, A J
  • University of Melbourne, Department of Veterinary Science, Werribee, Victoria, Australia.
Gasser, R B
    Chilton, N B

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Base Sequence
      • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics
      • Genetic Variation
      • Horses
      • Molecular Sequence Data
      • Ovum
      • Parasitology / methods
      • Polymerase Chain Reaction
      • Sequence Analysis, DNA
      • Species Specificity
      • Strongyle Infections, Equine / genetics
      • Strongylus / classification
      • Strongylus / genetics
      • Strongylus / isolation & purification

      Citations

      This article has been cited 31 times.
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