title: Highly sensitive multiplex PCR for simultaneous detection and discrimination of Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens in canine peripheral blood.
abstract: Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are the most common species of filarial nematodes described in the dogs with increasing spread into new geographical areas. The diagnosis of canine dirofilariosis is usually based upon the microscopical detection and identification of circulating microfilariae together with ELISA detection of serum circulating heartworm antigens or antibodies. The identification of the parasite species using the traditional approaches sometimes can be difficult and can lead to misdiagnosis especially on samples from areas where both Dirofilaria are present. In this paper we report a new molecular method based on single-step multiplex PCR to detect and differentiate simultaneously and unequivocally D. immitis and D. repens on DNA extracted from canine peripheral blood. The amplification was performed using a set of primers designed on a portion of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene of the mitochondrion (12S rDNA). The single-step multiplex PCR here described ensured high (4 mf/ml) sensitivity and specificity with reduced cost and time saving. The multiplex PCR assay represents an additional tool for epidemiological studies and routine disease assessment in areas co-endemic for the two Dirofilaria species.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Patologia Animale, Igiene e Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gioia
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lecová
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Genchi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Genchi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mortarino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
chemical_list: D018509:DNA, Helminth; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; C075526:RNA, ribosomal, 12S