Detection of the protozoan parasite Theileria annulata in Hyalomma ticks by the polymerase chain reaction.
Adult Hyalomma ticks were examined for the presence of Theileria annulata infection using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). A 372 bp DNA fragment derived from the small ribosomal RNA gene of T. annulata was amplified from 45 out of 50 (90%) H. dromedarii ticks and from 36 out of 50 (72%) H. marginatum marginatum ticks. No product was amplified from non-infected control ticks. Restriction enzyme digestion with Sac II confirmed that the product was derived from the targeted T. annulata gene. As a further confirmation it was shown that both species of Hyalomma ticks were able to transmit T. annulata to experimental calves. PCR detection of Theileria parasites in ticks was compared with conventional staining of dissected salivary glands using methyl green pyronin and its comparative advantages are discussed.
de Kok
J B
JB
Department of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
d'Oliveira
C
C
Jongejan
F
F
D000818:Animals; D001096:Arachnid Vectors / Q000469:parasitology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002417:Cattle; D017931:DNA Primers; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008739:Methyl Green; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000469:parasitology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016796:Theileria annulata / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013801:Theileriasis / Q000635:transmission; D013987:Ticks / Q000469:parasitology*
D017931:DNA Primers; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D008739:Methyl Green