title: Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia microti, with two different multiplex PCR assays.
abstract: We have developed 2 real-time multiplex PCR assays for detection of Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Babesia microti. The efficiency and sensitivity of each multiplex PCR assay was evaluated using field-collected Ixodes scapularis ticks that were positive for each of the pathogens, cloned plasmids harboring each of the PCR targets, and laboratory I. scapularis infected with B. burgdorferi B31. There was no difference in efficiency or sensitivity when comparing the multiplex PCR with the individual PCR reactions. If the 2 multiplex PCR assays are used in the same analysis, field-collected ticks that only harbor B. miyamotoi can also be identified. The multiplex assays are fast and cost-effective methods for screening and detecting pathogens in ticks, when compared to single-target PCR.
authors: Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA. Electronic address: Fth3@cdc.gov.
authors: Andrias
authors: A
authors: Hojgaard
authors: New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, Albany, NY, USA.
authors: Gary
authors: G
authors: Lukacik
authors: Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Piesman
mesh_terms: D041081:Anaplasma phagocytophilum / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000818:Animals; D041001:Babesia microti / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D025065:Borrelia burgdorferi / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics; D018884:Ixodes / Q000469:parasitology*; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D015800:Protozoan Proteins
keywords: Multiplex PCR; Pathogens; Ticks