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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Parasitol / Identification of opossums (Didelphis virginiana) as the put...
The Journal of parasitology1995; 81(6); 916-919;

Identification of opossums (Didelphis virginiana) as the putative definitive host of Sarcocystis neurona.

Abstract: Sarcocystis neurona is an apicomplexan that causes equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) in North and South America. Horses appear to be an aberrant host, because the merozoites continually divide in the central nervous system, without encysting. The natural host species has not previously been identified. The small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSURNA) gene of S. neurona was compared to those of Sarcocystis muris, Sarcocystis cruzi, Toxoplasma gondii, and Cryptosporidium parvum to identify a unique region suitable for a species-specific amplification primer. The S. neurona SSURNA primer was used in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the purpose of identifying this organism in feces and intestinal digest of wildlife specimens. Sporocysts were isolated from 4 raccoons (Procyon lotor), 2 opossums (Didelphis virginiana), 7 skunks (Mephitis mephitis), 6 cats (Felis catus), 1 hawk (Accipiter sp.), and 1 coyote (Canis latrans). The S. neurona SSURNA PCR assay and a control PCR assay using protist-specific primers were applied to all sporocyst DNA samples. All sporocyst DNA samples tested positive on the control assay. The SSURNA PCR assay yielded a 484-bp product only when applied to opossum samples. The SSURNA gene of both opossum sporocyst samples was sequenced to determine its relationship to the S. neurona SSURNA gene. The sequence had 99.89% similarity with S. neurona. This suggests that opossums are the definitive host of S. neurona.
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Publication Date: 1995-12-01 PubMed ID: 8544064
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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.

This research article discusses how opossums (Didelphis virginiana) have been identified as the probable definitive host for Sarcocystis neurona, a parasite causing equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), a neurological disease in horses in the Americas.

Study objectives and methods

  • The study sought to identify the natural host for Sarcocystis neurona – a parasite that causes a health condition known as equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) in horses from North and South America.
  • To achieve these objectives, the researchers compared the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSURNA) gene of S. neurona to those of several other organisms. The objective was to find a unique region that could be used as a species-specific amplification primer for diagnostic purposes.
  • Using the identified S. neurona SSURNA primer, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed. The PCR assay could then be used to identify the presence of this organism in fecal and intestinal samples from various wildlife species.

Testing and findings

  • The researchers examined sporocysts (enclosed, infective forms of the parasite) isolated from a variety of wildlife species, including raccoons, opossums, skunks, cats, hawks, and coyotes.
  • All the sporocyst DNA samples were subjected to PCR testing. All tested positive on the control assay. The S. neurona SSURNA PCR assay, however, produced a unique 484-bp product exclusively when used on the opossum samples.
  • The SSURNA gene from the opossum sporocyst samples was then sequenced. It had a 99.89% similarity to the S. neurona SSURNA gene. This significant similarity suggested the opossums as the definitive host of S. neurona.

Conclusions

  • The research concludes that opossums are likely to be the definitive host for Sarcocystis neurona, the parasite responsible for causing EPM in horses. This knowledge is helpful for future strategies in managing and preventing EPM in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Fenger CK, Granstrom DE, Langemeier JL, Stamper S, Donahue JM, Patterson JS, Gajadhar AA, Marteniuk JV, Xiaomin Z, Dubey JP. (1995). Identification of opossums (Didelphis virginiana) as the putative definitive host of Sarcocystis neurona. J Parasitol, 81(6), 916-919.

Publication

The Journal of parasitology
ISSN: 0022-3395
NlmUniqueID: 7803124
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 81
Issue: 6
Pages: 916-919

Researcher Affiliations

Fenger, C K
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40546, USA.
Granstrom, D E
    Langemeier, J L
      Stamper, S
        Donahue, J M
          Patterson, J S
            Gajadhar, A A
              Marteniuk, J V
                Xiaomin, Z
                  Dubey, J P

                    MeSH Terms

                    • Animals
                    • Base Sequence
                    • Birds / parasitology
                    • Carnivora / parasitology
                    • Cats
                    • DNA Primers
                    • Encephalitis / etiology
                    • Encephalitis / veterinary
                    • Horse Diseases / etiology
                    • Horses
                    • Host-Parasite Interactions
                    • Molecular Sequence Data
                    • Opossums / parasitology
                    • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
                    • RNA, Ribosomal / genetics
                    • Sarcocystis / genetics
                    • Sarcocystis / isolation & purification
                    • Sarcocystosis / etiology
                    • Sarcocystosis / veterinary
                    • Species Specificity

                    Citations

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