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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Res Commun / The first molecular isolation of Halicephalobus gingivalis f...
Veterinary research communications2023; doi: 10.1007/s11259-023-10188-w

The first molecular isolation of Halicephalobus gingivalis from horses in Iran.

Abstract: Parasitic infections pose significant threats to humans' and animals' well-being worldwide. Among these parasites, Halicephalobus spp., a genus of nematodes, has gained attention due to its ability to cause severe infections in various animal species, including horses. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Halicephalobus spp., specifically focusing on Halicephalobus gingivalis in horses. Methods: In July 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted in northern Iran to determine the prevalence of Halicephalobus spp. Using standard coprological techniques, 141 fecal samples from randomly selected horses were analyzed for GI helminth eggs. The Halicephalobus spp. eggs present in faeces were identified by molecular methods. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the partial 5' variable region (~ 390 base pairs) of 18 S DNA using SSUA_F and SSU22_R primers. Furthermore, the PCR products obtained were sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis was performed using available sequences from GenBank. Results: Microscopic examination of 141 fresh faecal samples revealed 5 fecal samples were infected with small ellipsoidal nematode eggs ranging between 40 and 50 × 50-60 μm. This study's PCR amplicons showed ~ 390 bp bands on 2.0% agarose gel. A partial sequence of 18 S DNA (363 bp) was obtained herein (GenBank accession no. OQ843456). Conclusions: Overall, using molecular tools represents a significant step forward in diagnosing and managing the Halicephalobus gingivalis infections in horses.
© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.
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Publication Date: 2023-08-05 PubMed ID: 37541991PubMed Central: 5771167DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10188-wGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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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 main goal of the study was to investigate the prevalence (how widespread) of parasitic infections from the nematode genus Halicephalobus in horses, with a specific focus on Halicephalobus gingivalis. In essence, the researchers wanted to find out how common this parasite is among horses in the studied area.

Materials and Methods:

  1. Location and Time: The study was conducted in northern Iran in July 2022.
  2. Sample Collection: Researchers collected fecal samples from 141 randomly selected horses. These samples were examined to identify GI helminth eggs, which are a type of parasitic worm egg.
  3. Examination: Standard coprological techniques were used initially to identify the presence of the parasite in the feces.
  4. Molecular Analysis: To get a more precise identification, they used molecular methods. Specifically, they applied Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to amplify a specific part of the parasite’s DNA. The targeted DNA was a part of the 18 S DNA using SSUA_F and SSU22_R primers. This allows for a more accurate and specific identification of the parasite in the samples.
  5. Sequencing: After PCR, the products obtained were sequenced to determine their specific DNA patterns. This can be useful for confirming the species of the parasite and comparing it to known sequences in databases like GenBank.

Results:

  1. Findings from Fecal Examination: Out of the 141 horse fecal samples examined, 5 were found to contain small ellipsoidal nematode eggs. This indicates a presence of the parasite.
  2. Molecular Analysis Results: The PCR analysis showed bands corresponding to approximately 390 base pairs on a 2.0% agarose gel, indicating successful amplification of the targeted DNA region.
  3. DNA Sequence: The sequenced DNA was a partial sequence of the 18 S DNA, 363 base pairs in length. This sequence was documented in the GenBank with the accession number OQ843456.

Conclusions:

  1. Importance of Molecular Tools: The study highlights the significance of using molecular tools, like PCR and sequencing, in diagnosing parasitic infections. These methods provided a precise identification of the Halicephalobus gingivalis infection in horses.
  2. Prevalence: The presence of Halicephalobus gingivalis in the samples suggests that it is indeed present in the horse population of northern Iran, though the exact prevalence rate would require a larger sample size for a more definitive percentage.
  3. Implication: Recognizing and diagnosing the presence of such parasites is crucial for managing and treating infected horses, ensuring their health and well-being.

Cite This Article

APA
Faghihzadeh Gorji F, Sadr S, Sharifiyazdi H, Borji H. (2023). The first molecular isolation of Halicephalobus gingivalis from horses in Iran. Vet Res Commun. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-023-10188-w

Publication

Veterinary research communications
ISSN: 1573-7446
NlmUniqueID: 8100520
Country: Switzerland
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Faghihzadeh Gorji, Faezeh
  • Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
Sadr, Soheil
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
Sharifiyazdi, Hassan
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
Borji, Hassan
  • Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran. hborji@um.ac.ir.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Faghihzadeh Gorji F, Sadr S, Eshrati H, Borji H. An investigation of the prevalence of equine filariosis in North and Northeast of Iran. J Parasit Dis 2024 Mar;48(1):163-167.
    doi: 10.1007/s12639-023-01643-1pubmed: 38440766google scholar: lookup
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