Use of a duplex PCR/DNA probe assay to monitor Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina in cattle during a vaccination trial.
A Duplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (DPCR)/DNA probe assay was used to detect Babesia bovis and B. bigemina DNA in cattle undergoing immunization trials. Blood samples were collected from 15 non-splenectomized, 1-2 years old bulls, inoculated with 1 x 10(7) each of culture-derived B. bovis- and B. bigemina-infected erythrocytes. 15 bulls inoculated with normal erythrocytes served as a control group. All cattle were field exposed to tick-transmitted Babesia 21 days (20 animals, Group I) and 60 days (10 animals, Group II) post-inoculation (PI). After immunization, the DPCR/DNA probe assay detected B. bigemina and B. bovis parasite DNA in all inoculated animals from days 4 to 14 PI. At challenge, B. bovis DNA was detected in all control animals as early as day 8 (Group I), or day 11 (Group II) post-introduction to a tick-infested area. The immunized bulls showed B. bovis positive PCR/DNA probe signals from day 0 (Group II) and day 8 (group I), up to day 32 post-exposure to ticks. Positive B. bigemina signals were detected from day 0 (Group I) and day 8 (Group II), up to day 36 post-exposure to ticks. During challenge, it was not possible to clearly define whether the PCR/DNA probe signals detected in the blood from immunized cattle were a result of amplified DNA from the culture-derived parasites, from the tick-transmitted parasites, or both.
Figueroa
J V
JV
CENID-PAVET, INIFAP-SAGAR, México.
Alvarez
J A
JA
Rojas
E E
EE
Ramos
J A
JA
Mosqueda
J J
JJ
Cantó
G J
GJ
Vega
C A
CA
Buening
G M
GM
D000818:Animals; D001096:Arachnid Vectors / Q000469:parasitology; D001403:Babesia / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000469:parasitology*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D015342:DNA Probes; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines; D013987:Ticks / Q000469:parasitology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000662:veterinary*
D015342:DNA Probes; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D016052:Protozoan Vaccines