title: Molecular characterization of Toxoplasma gondii Type II in sheep abortion in Sardinia, Italy.
abstract: During 2009-2010, 161 tissue samples (142 placentas, 16 brains, and 3 livers) from aborted ovine fetuses on Sardinia Island, Italy, were tested for toxoplasmosis. Organs that showed a positive result by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the ITS1 region for Toxoplasma gondii were also amplified with 11 genetic markers (SAG1, 5'-SAG2, 3'-SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico) and then subjected to PCR/RFLP for genetic typing. T. gondii DNA was found in 5 placentas, 14 brains, and 2 livers by PCR analysis and all isolates displayed Type II alleles at all 11 loci with all 11 markers. The results indicate that the Type II T. gondii is associated with ovine abortion.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Via Duca degli Abruzzi, 8, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chessa
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Via Duca degli Abruzzi, 8, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chisu
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Via Duca degli Abruzzi, 8, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosaura
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Porcu
authors.affiliation: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna, Via Duca degli Abruzzi, 8, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Masala
mesh_terms: D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000209:etiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary; D005333:Fetus / Q000469:parasitology; D017125:Genes, Protozoan; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005838:Genotype; D007558:Italy; D008099:Liver / Q000196:embryology / Q000469:parasitology; D010920:Placenta / Q000469:parasitology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D011247:Pregnancy; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000150:complications / Q000469:parasitology*
chemical_list: D005819:Genetic Markers