title: Detection of Babesia microti parasites by highly sensitive 18S rRNA reverse transcription PCR.
abstract: Babesia are increasingly appreciated as a cause of transfusion-transmitted infection. Sensitive methods are needed to screen blood products. We report herein that B. microti 18S rRNA is over 1,000-fold more abundant than its coding genes, making reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) much more sensitive than PCR. Babesia 18S rRNA may be useful for screening the blood supply.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Amelia E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Hanron
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Zachary P
authors.initials: ZP
authors.lastname: Billman
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Annette M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Seilie
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. Electronic address: murphysc@uw.edu.
authors.forename: Sean C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D041001:Babesia microti / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000097:blood / Q000469:parasitology; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics*; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000379:methods; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S
keywords: 18S rRNA; Babesia; Clinical microbiology; Diagnostics; RT-PCR; Transfusion