title: Molecular confirmation of the first autochthonous case of human babesiosis in Australia using a novel primer set for the beta-tubulin gene.
abstract: In 2012, the first autochthonous Australian case of human babesiosis was reported, after microscopic examinations of blood samples revealed intra-erythrocytic parasites in a hospitalized 56year-old man from NSW, who died in 2011 (Senanayake et al., 2012). Independent molecular analyses carried out in Australia and the USA, identified Babesia microti at the 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA), and the beta-tubulin (β-tubulin) gene loci. Here we present the details of a novel PCR-based assay for the β-tubulin gene that was developed, during the original study, to corroborate the results obtained from the analysis of the 18S rDNA. The complete phylogenetic reconstruction, based on the two loci sequenced from the Australian clinical isolate, is also shown here for the first time.
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia. Electronic address: a.paparini@murdoch.edu.au.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paparini
authors.affiliation: ANU Medical School, The Australian National University, Linnaeus Way, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia; Canberra Hospital Campus, The Canberra Hospital, Hospital Road, Garran, ACT 2606, Australia. Electronic address: sanjaya.senanayake@act.gov.au.
authors.forename: Sanjaya N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Senanayake
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia. Electronic address: Una.Ryan@murdoch.edu.au.
authors.forename: Una M
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia. Electronic address: P.Irwin@murdoch.edu.au.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Irwin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D041001:Babesia microti / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry*; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry; D004285:Dogs; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D048328:Potoroidae; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014404:Tubulin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; D014404:Tubulin
keywords: 18S; Australia; Babesia microti; Babesiosis; Beta-tubulin; Molecular phylogeny