Detection of Marteilia refringens using nested PCR and in situ hybridisation in Chamelea gallina from the Balearic Islands (Spain).
In the course of a histopathological survey performed to discover the cause of mass mortality of the striped clam Chamelea gallina in the Balearic Islands (Spain, Mediterranean Sea), we detected a Marteilia-like parasite in 3 clams. Molecular methods were applied to identify the parasite. DNA extracted from a paraffin block was used to carry out a PCR assay for Marteilia refringens detection based on a rDNA sequence of the parasite (the intergenic spacer of ribosomal genes, IGS). The nucleotide sequence of the IGS amplified fragment and the positive signal obtained by in situ hybridisation analysis with a M. refringens-specific probe allowed us to confirm the presence of this parasite in the digestive gland tissue of C. gallina.
López-Flores
Inmaculada
I
IFAPA Centro Agua del Pino, Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Empresa, Junta de Andalucía, Carretera Cartaya-Punta Umbría, 21459 Huelva, Spain. ilopez@ugr.es
Robles
Francisca
F
Valencia
José M
JM
Grau
Amalia
A
Villalba
Antonio
A
de la Herrán
Roberto
R
Garrido-Ramos
Manuel A
MA
Ruiz-Rejón
Carmelo
C
Ruiz-Rejón
Manuel
M
Navas
José I
JI
D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000469:parasitology*; D021901:DNA, Intergenic / Q000235:genetics; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
D021901:DNA, Intergenic; D016054:DNA, Protozoan