In vitro isolation and characterisation of the first canine Neospora caninum isolate in Australia.
Neospora caninum was isolated and established in vitro from the skin lesion of a naturally infected dog. The identity of the parasite was evaluated by immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT), microscopy, Western blotting and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). N. caninum DNA was detected in the whole blood, serum, skin lesion, rectal scrapings and faeces of the infected dog utilising a nested PCR targeting the Nc-5 gene of N. caninum. Antigenic and genetic characterisation of the isolate, designated WA-K9, at a number of loci including the Nc-5 gene, heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70) gene, alpha-tubulin and beta-tubulin genes revealed no variation between this isolate and two N. caninum isolates from different geographic areas. Clinical aspects of this case, which included cutaneous and neurological disease, are also discussed.
McInnes
L M
LM
Division of Health Sciences, School of Veterinary and Biomedical Science, Murdoch University, WA 6150, Australia. lmcinnes@murdoch.edu.au
Irwin
P
P
Palmer
D G
DG
Ryan
U M
UM
D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001315:Australia; D001483:Base Sequence; D015153:Blotting, Western / Q000662:veterinary; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect / Q000662:veterinary; D005784:Gene Amplification; D018688:Neospora / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D016054:DNA, Protozoan