title: Polymorphism analysis of Chinese Theileria sergenti using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction of the major piroplasm surface protein gene.
abstract: Theileria sergenti is a tick-borne parasite found in many parts of the world. The major piroplasm surface protein (MPSP), a conserved protein in all Theileria species, has been used as a marker for epidemiological and phylogenetic studies of benign Theileria species. In this study, Chinese species of T. sergenti were characterized by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequence analysis of the MPSP gene. Using universal or allele-specific primer sets for PCR amplification of the MPSP gene, 98 of 288 cattle blood samples, collected from 6 provinces in China, were found to be positive. Among the positive samples, only 3 allelic MPSP gene types (Chitose [C]-, Ikeda [I]-, and buffeli [B]-type) were successfully amplified. Moreover, the results revealed that the majority of the parasites sampled in this study were C- and I-type (prevalence of 84 and 69%, respectively), whereas the B-type was less common (prevalence of 36%). Co-infections with C-, I-, and B-type T. sergenti also were found. An additional known allele, Thai-type, was not detected. Phylogenetic analysis based on the MPSP gene sequences, including 3 standard stocks generated in the laboratory ( T. sergenti Wenchuan, T. sergenti Ningxian, and T. sergenti Liaoyang), revealed that the isolates of Chinese sergenti were comprised of at least 4 allelic MPSP gene types, i.e., C-, I-, B1-, and B2-type, and these parasites with 6 MPSP types 1-5 and 7 were present in China.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, State Key Laboratory on Veterinary Etiological Biology, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou 730046, China.
authors.forename: Ai Hong
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Gui Quan
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.forename: Jun Long
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zhi Jie
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Leblanc
authors.forename: You Quan
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jin Liang
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Mi Ling
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Qing Li
authors.initials: QL
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.forename: Qiao Yun
authors.initials: QY
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Jian Xun
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D002681:China; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D016415:Sequence Alignment / Q000662:veterinary; D016794:Theileria / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D013801:Theileriasis / Q000469:parasitology*
chemical_list: D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C115173:major piroplasm surface protein, Theileria