title: Differentiation of two ovine Babesia based on the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences.
abstract: The first and second internal transcribed spacers (ITS1, ITS2) as well as the intervening 5.8S coding region of the rRNA gene for six Babesia spp. isolated from different geographic origins were characterized. Varying degrees of ITS1 and ITS2 intra- and inter-species sequence polymorphism were found among these isolates. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS1-5.8S gene-ITS2 region clearly separated the isolates into two clusters. One held an unidentified Babesia sp. transmitted by Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum. The second held five other isolates, which were considered to be Babesia motasi. Each Babesia species cluster possessed ITS1 and ITS2 of unique size(s) and species specific nucleotide sequences. The results showed that ITS1, ITS2 and the complete ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region could be used to discriminate these ovine Babesia spp. effectively.
authors.affiliation: Gansu Provincal Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Xujiaping1, Lanzhou, Gansu 730046, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Qingli
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.forename: Jianxun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Guiquan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.forename: Zhijie
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Miling
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Aihong
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jinliang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Qiaoyun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Youquan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jiaxiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001403:Babesia / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002681:China; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000737:chemistry*; D005819:Genetic Markers; D026863:Ixodidae; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012340:RNA, Ribosomal, 5.8S / Q000235:genetics; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D012756:Sheep
chemical_list: D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; D005819:Genetic Markers; D012340:RNA, Ribosomal, 5.8S