title: PCR detection of Angiostrongylus vasorum in faecal samples of dogs and foxes.
abstract: The cardiovascular nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum is spreading in the fox and dog populations of northern Europe. A. vasorum can result in severe clinical manifestations in dogs; therefore, specific diagnosis is crucial for assessing its prevalence. In the present study, faecal samples from foxes and domestic dogs were tested by a new polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the second internal transcribed region of the ribosomal DNA (ITS2) of A. vasorum. Initial isolation of faecal larvae by sieving facilitated the processing of larger sample volumes and allowed for the recovery of dead larvae from frozen samples. The sieve-PCR method enabled the identification of a single larva per 2 g of faecal sample and did not amplify DNA of a range of canine helminths, thus presenting a non-invasive tool for wildlife surveillance and for confirmative diagnosis in dogs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture and Ecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark. nafi@life.ku.dk
authors.forename: Mohammad N S
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Al-Sabi
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Deplazes
authors.forename: Pia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Webster
authors.forename: Jakob L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Willesen
authors.forename: Rebecca K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: Christian M O
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Kapel
mesh_terms: D000801:Angiostrongylus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000818:Animals; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000235:genetics; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000235:genetics; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs; D005060:Europe; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005589:Foxes / Q000469:parasitology*; D010274:Parasitology / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D018509:DNA, Helminth; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer