Development of molecular assays for the identification of the 11 Eimeria species of the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

0367388 - BC 2012 RIV NL eng J - Journal Article
Oliveira, U. C. - Fraga, J. S. - Licois, D. - Pakandl, Michal - Gruber, A.
Development of molecular assays for the identification of the 11 Eimeria species of the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus).
Veterinary Parasitology. Roč. 176, 2/3 (2011), 275-280. ISSN 0304-4017. E-ISSN 1873-2550
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60220518
Keywords : Eimeria * Rabbit * Coccidiosis * ITS1 * Ribosomal DNA * PCR-based diagnosis
Subject RIV: GJ - Animal Vermins ; Diseases, Veterinary Medicine
Impact factor: 2.579, year: 2011

Coccidiosis are the major parasitic diseases in poultry and other domestic animals including the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). 11 distinct Eimeria species have been identified in this host, but no PCR-based method has been developed so far for unequivocal species differentiation. In this work, we describe the development of molecular diagnostic assays that allow for the detection and discrimination of the 11 Eimeria species that infect rabbits. We determined the nucleotide sequences of the ITS1 ribosomal DNAs and designed species-specific primers for each species. We performed specificity tests using heterologous sets of primers and DNA samples, and no cross-specific bands were observed. We obtained a detection limit varying from 500 fg to 1 pg, which corresponds approximately to 0.8-1.7 sporulated oocysts, respectively. The test reported here showed good reproducibility and presented a consistent sensitivity with three different brands of amplification enzymes.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0202094