Use of a polymerase chain reaction assay to detect infection with Eperythrozoon wenyoni in cattle.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay could be used to detect Eperythrozoon wenyoni in the blood of cattle.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
95 cattle from various herds in Alabama and Georgia and 96 bulls enrolled in Auburn University's Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Association Bull Test program.


METHODS
Blood samples were collected by means of venipuncture of the median caudal vein and submitted for a CBC and PCR assay. Blood smears were made immediately after blood collection and examined by means of light microscopy.


RESULTS
Three of 95 cattle from herds in Alabama and Georgia and 5 of 96 bulls enrolled in the Bull Test program had positive PCR assay results. Organisms were seen in blood smears from only 5 of these 8 animals. Organisms were not seen in blood smears from any animals for which results of the PCR assay were negative.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that a PCR assay may be an effective method for detecting E wenyoni infection in cattle and that the PCR assay may be a more sensitive test than evaluation of blood smears.
Vandervoort
J M
JM
Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801, USA.
Bourne
C
C
Carson
R L
RL
Heath
A M
AM
Boudreaux
M K
MK
D000407:Alabama / Q000453:epidemiology; D000818:Animals; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S