Molecular characterization of Babesia gibsoni in Taiwan

• Main Authors: Yu-Ching Chuang, 莊宇菁
• Other Authors: Chang-Young Fei
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/20115824988589480574

碩士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 獸醫學研究所 === 95 === Canine babesiosis is an important disease found in domestic dogs with infection of the intra-erythrocytic protozic parasites known as Babesia. Historically, pathogens that caused canine babesiosis have been attributed to either Babesia canis and/or Babesia gibsoni, and both species can be found in Taiwan. Laboratory diagnosis of canine babesiosis is primary based on blood smear. B. gibsoni and B. canis can easily be distinguished by their difference in size. However, due to limited number of parasites presented, it would be difficult to differentiate these two species especially in carriers or latently infected dogs with no obvious clinical signs. There is necessity to develop a more reliable diagnostic technique. We sequenced small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (18S rDNA) of B. gibsoni in Taiwan and compare that with the published sequence in gene bank. The most identical sequence is “Oklahoma” isolate (AF205636). The similarity is 99%. We also developed the diagnostic nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR) based on the sequence we found to detect B. gibsoni infection. In addition, samples were examined by published primers for B. canis. B. canis in Taiwan and were proved to be the subspecies B. canis vogeli. This is the first description of molecular characteristics of B. gibsoni in Taiwan.