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Parasitology research2011; 109(4); 1199-1203; doi: 10.1007/s00436-011-2426-0

β-Tubulin genotypes in six species of cyathostomins from anthelmintic-naive Przewalski and benzimidazole-resistant brood horses in Ukraine.

Abstract: Resistance to benzimidazoles (BZ) in the gastrointestinal nematodes of livestock is characterised by the presence of specific polymorphisms in the β-tubulin isotype 1 protein, a component of microtubules. The most prevalent polymorphism associated with resistance in nematodes infecting cattle, sheep, and goats is found at codon 200, with minor occurrences of polymorphisms at codons 167 and 198. In the cyathostomins that infect horses, however, a polymorphism at codon 167 appears to be more common than the codon 200 polymorphism. In the present study, a focussed analysis of PCR-amplified β-tubulin fragments incorporating the above-mentioned three polymorphic sites in isotype 1 and 2 genes in worms of six species of cyathostomins, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicocyclus ashworthi, Cyathostomum catinatum, Cylicostephanus goldi, Cylicostephanus longibursatus, and Coronocyclus coronatus, was performed. Worms were collected from two distinct horse populations, i.e. they were collected from Przewalski horses of the Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve that had never received any anthelmintic treatment and from brood horses of the Dubrovsky farm where benzimidazole resistance had become established. DNA was extracted and sequenced from three worms of each species and population as well as from pools of 50 male C. nassatus and C. catinatum from both populations. The vast majority of putatively BZ resistance-associated TAC alleles were found at codon 167, compared to codon 200. The former allele occurred in isotype 1 in all six species of the supposedly benzimidazole-resistant cyathostomins from Dubrovsky horses. None of the polymorphisms associated with resistance was found in the corresponding isotype 2 codons nor at codon 198 in any of the six species of cyathostomins (neither single nor pooled worm DNA) from either of the two populations. These findings further support the predominant association of β-tubulin isotype 1 and therein codon 167 with BZ resistance in cyathostomins.
Publication Date: 2011-05-07 PubMed ID: 21553015DOI: 10.1007/s00436-011-2426-0Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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 study investigates the genotypes associated with resistance to a common de-worming drug, benzimidazoles, in six species of parasitic worms found in horses. The researchers discovered that resistance is most commonly associated with a particular gene alteration.

Introduction to Benzimidazoles Resistance

  • Benzimidazoles (BZ) are a group of drugs used to treat parasitic infections, mostly in livestock.
  • Resistance to BZ is characterized by certain gene mutations in the β-tubulin protein, a component of microtubules, which are structures that help cells maintain their shape and function.
  • There are three common locations, or codons, in the gene where these mutations occur – 167, 198 and 200. In most livestock parasites, the mutation at codon 200 is most prevalent.
  • However, in parasites that infect horses, particularly cyathostomins, a mutation at codon 167 appears to be more common.

Details of the Study

  • The study analysed samples of six species of cyathostomins obtained from two distinct populations of horses – Przewalski horses which had never been treated with antiparasitic drugs and brood horses from a farm where BZ resistance had been established.
  • The researchers extracted DNA from three worms of each species as well as pooled samples from 50 male worms of two species from both horse populations. This DNA was then analysed to identify any mutations associated with BZ resistance.

Results of the Study

  • The research found that the majority of BZ resistance-associated gene mutations were located at codon 167 rather than 200.
  • This mutation was found in all six species of cyathostomins that were likely to be resistant to BZ and had been obtained from the Dubrovsky horses.
  • No resistance-associated mutations were found in the other two codon locations (198 and in the corresponding locations in isotype 2) in any of the species, regardless of the population they came from.

Conclusion

  • The study confirms that the major gene mutation associated with resistance to BZ in cyathostomins is at codon 167 in β-tubulin isotype 1.
  • This finding can help inform strategies for dealing with drug resistant parasites in horses and potentially other livestock animals.

Cite This Article

APA
Blackhall WJ, Kuzmina T, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G. (2011). β-Tubulin genotypes in six species of cyathostomins from anthelmintic-naive Przewalski and benzimidazole-resistant brood horses in Ukraine. Parasitol Res, 109(4), 1199-1203. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-011-2426-0

Publication

ISSN: 1432-1955
NlmUniqueID: 8703571
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 109
Issue: 4
Pages: 1199-1203

Researcher Affiliations

Blackhall, William J
  • Global BioEditing, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Kuzmina, Tetyana
    von Samson-Himmelstjerna, Georg

      MeSH Terms

      • Alleles
      • Animals
      • Animals, Wild
      • Anthelmintics / pharmacology
      • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
      • Benzimidazoles / pharmacology
      • Benzimidazoles / therapeutic use
      • Breeding
      • Codon
      • DNA, Helminth / analysis
      • Drug Resistance / drug effects
      • Drug Resistance / genetics
      • Genotype
      • Helminth Proteins / chemistry
      • Helminth Proteins / genetics
      • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
      • Horse Diseases / parasitology
      • Horses
      • Male
      • Polymerase Chain Reaction
      • Polymorphism, Genetic
      • Protein Isoforms / chemistry
      • Protein Isoforms / genetics
      • Strongyle Infections, Equine / drug therapy
      • Strongyle Infections, Equine / epidemiology
      • Strongyle Infections, Equine / parasitology
      • Strongyloidea / classification
      • Strongyloidea / drug effects
      • Strongyloidea / genetics
      • Strongyloidea / isolation & purification
      • Tubulin / chemistry
      • Tubulin / genetics
      • Ukraine

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