title: A simple molecular method for discriminating common filarial nematodes of dogs (Canis familiaris).
abstract: Accurate diagnosis of canine filariosis is essential for choosing correct therapeutic approach. Therefore, reliable methods for discriminating among the different filarial infections in dogs are needed. The authors report simple and highly specific molecular methods that identify the three most common filarial nematodes of European dogs: Dirofilaria immitis, D. repens and Acanthocheilonema (syn. Dipetalonema) reconditum, based on (1) PCR amplifications of mitochondrial DNA (12S rDNA and coxI) with general filarial primers followed by digestion with restriction enzymes that generates band polymorphisms clearly discriminating the three species and (2) PCR amplifications with species-specific primers to support the restriction analysis, in particular in the case of multiple infections.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Casiraghi
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bazzocchi
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mortarino
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ottina
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Genchi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000032:analysis; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000032:analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004153:Dipetalonema / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004154:Dipetalonema Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D004182:Dirofilaria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004285:Dogs; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D018509:DNA, Helminth; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial