title: A two-step species-specific 16S rRNA PCR assay for the detection of Taylorella equigenitalis in horses.
abstract: : A two-step PCR assay was developed for the molecular detection of Taylorella equigenitalis, a Gram-negative genital bacterial pathogen in horses. Two specific oligonucleotide primers (TE16SrRNABCHf [25mer] and TE16SrRNABCHr [29mer]) were designed from multiple alignments of the 16S rRNA gene loci of several closely related taxa, including T. asinigenitalis. Subsequent enhanced surveillance of 250 Thoroughbred animals failed to detect the presence of this organism directly from clinical swabs taken from the genital tract of mares and stallions. Such a molecular approach offers a sensitive and specific alternative to conventional culture techniques, and has the potential to lead to improved diagnosis and subsequent management of horses involved in breeding programmes.
authors.affiliation: Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co Kildare, Republic of Ireland. iec@equine-centre.ie.
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Buckley
authors.forename: B Cherie
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Millar
authors.forename: Claire L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Egan
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: Hazel
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cosgrove
authors.forename: Siobhan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stanbridge
authors.forename: Motoo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsuda
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Moore