Prevalence and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in pet dogs in Central China.
The prevalence and genotype of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs in Henan Province, Central China was investigated. A total of 125 blood samples were collected from pet dogs during April to June 2013, and all samples were examined by indirect hemagglutination antibody test (IHA) and nested PCR. The overall T. gondii prevalence in pet dogs was 24.0% (30/125), with 20.8% (26/125) in IHA and 10.4% (13/125) in PCR, respectively. No statistical associations were found between animal gender and age and the prevalence of T. gondii infection. Thirteen positive DNA samples were genotyped using 11 PCR-RFLP markers, including SAG1, (3'+5') SAG2, alt.SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and Apico. Of these, only 2 samples were genotyped with complete data for all loci, and a novel genotype (type III at SAG3 and GRA6 loci, and type I at other loci) was identified. This is the first report of genetic characterization of T. gondii infection in dogs in China.
College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China.
Wei-Feng
WF
Qian
College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China.
Wen-Chao
WC
Yan
College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China.
Tian-Qi
TQ
Wang
College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China.
Kai
K
Zhai
College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471003, China.
Li-Fang
LF
Han
PuLike Biological Engineering Co., Ltd, Luoyang 471000, China.
Chao-Chao
CC
Lv
D000818:Animals; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D005838:Genotype; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests; D057805:Pets; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D015995:Prevalence; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*
China; Toxoplasma gondii; dogs; genotype; prevalence