旋毛虫各隔离种快速诊断方法的研究

提取４个旋毛虫隔离种的ＤＮＡ，应用Ｊｅａｎ设计的引物序列进行了ＰＣＲ扩增。结果黑龙江猪旋毛虫和Ｔ．ｓｐｉｒａｌｉｓ均显示出家畜型旋毛虫特异的６０２ｂｐ目的ＤＮＡ基因片段，而犬旋毛虫和Ｔ．ｎａｔｉｖａ未见此片段。扩增结果显示，黑龙江猪旋毛虫相当于Ｔ．ｓｐｉｒａｌｉｓ，犬旋毛虫相当于Ｔ．ｎａｔｉｖａ。     

应用PCR方法对中国旋毛虫虫株的鉴定

收集了中国８个地区不同宿主来源的旋毛虫虫株，提取虫体ＤＮＡ，应用Ｊｅａｎ设计的引物序列和不同的退火温度进行了ＰＣＲ扩增。结果：哈尔滨海伦猪株、长春犬株、沈阳猪株、河南南阳猪株、湖北十堰猪株、西安猪株、云南大理猪株均显示出家畜型旋毛虫特异的６０２ｂｐ目的ＤＮＡ基因片段；而哈尔滨五常犬株未见此片段。在４８℃和５０℃退火温度扩增显示，哈尔滨五常犬株和长春犬株均有３８０ｂｐＤＮＡ基因片段，而其他虫株未有此片段。     

聚合酶链反应检测猪细小病毒的研究

本研究成功地建立了检测猪细小病毒（ＰＰＶ）的聚合酶链反应（ＰＣＲ）技术。以１６个核苷酸引物对首次完成了ＰＰＶＤＮＡ结构蛋白ＶＰ１编码区２２８ｂｐ片段的扩增。同样数目的另一引物对，也成功扩增了Ｖｐ２编码区１５８ｂｐＤＮＡ片段。ＰＰＶＢＭ－１株与其它国内分离株（广西株、天津株和哈尔滨株）均出现相同扩增结果。琼脂糖凝胶电泳显示了特异条带（ＶＰ１２２８ｂｐ．Ｖｐ２１５８ｂｐ），而伪狂犬病病毒、犬细小病毒均未扩增，表明了本方法的特异性。同时，限制性内切酶分析（Ｖｐ１２２８ｂｐ及Ｖｐ２１５８ｂｐ分别含单一ＰｖｕⅡ、ＥｃｏＲⅠ位点），也证实了特异性。本方法敏感性高，可检出１０ｆｇ模板ＤＮＡ。既可作样品的快速检测，又能检查细胞系的污染。具有特异、简便、快速的优点。     

鸡传染性喉气管炎病毒中国王岗株gX基因的克隆及鉴定

以ｐＵＣ１９质粒为载体克隆鸡传染性喉气管炎病毒（ＩＬＴＶ）中国王岗株的ＤＮＡ，构建了鸡传染性喉气管炎病毒ＤＮＡ的ＫｐｎⅠＤＮＡ文库。参考ＩＬＴＶ－ＳＡ２株ｇＸ基因的核酸序列，设计并合成了分别为１２ｂｐ和１３ｂｐ的１对引物。以ＩＬＴＶ中国王岗株ＤＮＡ为模板，用ＰＣＲ方法特异性地扩增出０．８４ｋｂ的ＩＬＴＶ－ｇＸ基因片段。以地高辛标记该０．８４ｋｂ的片段为探针，经Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎ杂交从ＩＬＴＶ中国王岗株ＫｐｎⅠＤＮＡ文库中筛选出３个含５．２ｋｂ外源ＩＬＴＶＤＮＡ片段的ｇＸ基因阳性重组子。经酶切分析、Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎ杂交、ＰＣＲ检测和该片段部分酶谱分析表明，ＩＬＴＶ中国王岗株ＤＮＡ５．２ｋｂ的ＫｐｎⅠ片段无论是片段大小还是酶切图谱均与ＩＬＴＶ－ＳＡ２株完全相同，而且Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎ杂交和ＰＣＲ检测均为ｇＸ阳性，证明其中含有完整的ｇＸ基因     

用随意扩增的DNA多态性鉴定中国分离的部分旋毛虫虫株

以旋毛虫国际标准虫种作对照，利用随意扩增的ＤＮＡ多态性技术对国内的部分旋毛虫分离株进行了鉴定与分析，经５条引物的单扩增及复合扩增结果显示，中国的旋毛虫猪株为Ｔ．ｓｐｉｒａｌｉｓ，大株为Ｔ．ｎａｔｉｖａ，猫株为Ｔ．ｎｅｌｓｏｎｉ。     

应用PCR技术检测沙门氏菌

参照文献报道的根据沙门氏菌组氨酸转运操纵子基因片段所设计的引物序列,合成了１对长２５ｂｐ的引物,对沙门氏菌属Ａ－Ｆ各群中共１６株沙门氏标准菌株和其他１２株非沙门氏菌标准菌株进行ＤＮＡ抽提扩增、结果沙门氏菌ＰＣＲ产物都出现４９５ｂｐ的特异性ＤＮＡ扩增带,而非沙门氏菌均未出现扩增条带,证明这对引物具有沙门氏菌属特异性。     

聚合酶链反应（PCR）鉴定猪肉方法的建立及应用

依据猪小卫星ＤＮＡ序列设计了１对引物,建立了ＰＣＲ鉴定生、熟猪肉的方法。应用本方法特异地扩增出预期的猪３０７ｂｐ的ＤＮＡ片段,其检测敏感度对生猪肉达３８．６ｆｇＤＮＡ,对熟猪肉和高压猪肉为０．３７５ｆｇ全基因组ＤＮＡ。运用该引物仅可扩增生猪ＤＮＡ的单一片段,而对马、牛、羊等１２种动物肉的ＤＮＡ扩增则呈阴性。应用本法对６３份生、熟猪肉进行鉴定,正确率为１００％,对各种样品检测,均可在６ｈ内完成。     

PCR鉴定牛肉方法的建立及初步应用

依据牛１．７０９卫星ＤＮＡ序列设计了１对引物，建立了ＰＣＲ鉴定生、熟牛肉的方法。应用本方法特异地扩增出预期的牛２１８ｂｐＤＮＡ片段，其检测敏感度对生牛肉达３３．６ｆｇＤＮＡ，对熟牛肉和高压牛肉为０．３２ｐｇ。运用该引物均可扩增出水牛、牦牛、奶牛、黄牛肉单一的相同大小的ＤＮＡ条带，而对马、山羊、绵羊、骆驼、鹿、猪等１５种动物肉的ＤＮＡ扩增则呈阴性。扩增片段经ＨａｅⅢ酶切分析确认，所得１２９、７９、１０ｂｐ片段与微机分析结果一致。利用本法对１０３份生、熟牛肉及其制品进行鉴定，检出率为１００％。对各种样品检测，均可在６ｈ内完成。     

中国旋毛虫分离株成虫和新生幼虫基因文库的构建及筛选

利用λＺＡＰⅡ载体构建了中国分离株Ｔｒｉｃｈｉｎｅｌａｓｐｉｒａｌｉｓ及Ｔｒｉｃｈｉｎｅｌａｎａｔｉｖａ成虫和新生幼虫ｃＤ－ＮＡ基因文库,检测结果表明,所克隆的ｃＤＮＡ片段分布在０．２～２．０ｋｂ之间,表明２个ｃＤＮＡ基因文库对ｍＲＮＡ的覆盖面很大。利用ＲＡＰＤ技术,以肌幼虫基因文库作对照,采用７０个单引物及２０对复合引物对以上２个文库进行筛选扩增,结果：（１）共获得２条Ｔ．ｓｐｉｒａｌｉｓ及４条Ｔ．ｎａｔｉｖａ的成虫与新生幼虫特异性基因片段,鉴于成虫与新生幼虫是旋毛虫的２个侵袭性阶段,其所特有的特异性基因片段极有可能就是这２个时期虫体的侵袭性因子基因,即所要寻找的强保护性抗原基因,从而为后续研究奠定了基础;（２）发现１条Ｔ．ｓｐｉｒａｌｉｓ种特有的基因片段,这一特异性基因片段为虫种鉴定提供了物质条件;（３）发现旋毛虫同种不同分离株（中国分离株及法国分离株）间ｃＤＮＡ文库扩增图谱完全相同,进一步证实了旋毛虫种内基因的低流动性     

二花脸猪和杜洛克猪的RAPD分析

利用６０个随机引物对二花脸猪（太湖猪的一个类群）和杜洛克猪的基因组ＤＮＡ进行ＲＡＰＤ分析,其中４８个引物可扩增出清晰的ＲＡＰＤ带型,８个引物可扩增出多型式片段。一个引物（ＯＰＢ１３）可在两品种间扩增出一条稳定的重复性好的多态片段,其大小约为１８９０ｂｐ。结果表明,二花脸猪、杜洛克猪群内遗传距离指数分别为０．０３７１、０．０３４５,遗传多样性指数分别为０．４８６、０．４３１,两品种间存在着ＤＮＡ分子     

Characterisation of Trichinella isolates from Bulgaria by molecular typing and cross-breeding

Trichinella spp. larvae were collected from domestic and wild-life animals in association with 15 human trichinellosis outbreaks registered between 1999-2002 in Bulgaria. Furthermore, Trichinella spp. isolates were obtained from 62 naturally infected wild animals and of a rat. All isolates were subjected to speciation by both multiplex PCR and cross-breeding experiments. Epidemiological and clinical data were collected and analysed using standard protocols for epidemiological surveillance and control of outbreaks. Only two species were identified-Trichinella britovi and Trichinella spiralis. Results obtained by molecular typing fully matched those of cross-breeding. More specifically, parasite isolates obtained upon 15 epidemic outbreaks revealed the predominance of T. britovi (n = 10) when compared to T. spiralis (n = 5). With regard to host origin, the predominant species detected among wild boar was T. britovi (n = 4), and T. spiralis was identified in one wild boar sample only. Among the isolates obtained from domestic pig products, T. britovi was found in five cases and T. spiralis in four cases, respectively. In the naturally infected wild animals not related to epidemics, only T. britovi was demonstrated. The present results provide a strong indication that both T. britovi and T. spiralis operate within domestic and sylvatic cycles in Bulgaria. Geographically, the distribution of T. britovi appears to include Central, Southern, Eastern and Western parts of the country, and wildlife animals from the Mid Balkan Mountains and Mid Sredna Gora Mountains, T. spiralis was found in Western and Southwestern Bulgaria, only.     

Trichinella nativa in a black bear from Plymouth, New Hampshire

A suspected case of trichinellosis was identified in a single patient by the New Hampshire Public Health Laboratories in Concord, NH. The patient was thought to have become infected by consumption of muscle larvae (ML) in undercooked meat from a black bear killed in Plymouth, NH in October 2003 and stored frozen at -20 degrees C fro 4 months. In January 2004, a 600 g sample of the meat was thawed at 4 degrees C, digested in hydrochloric acid and pepsin, and larvae were collected by sedimentation. Intact, coiled, and motile ML were recovered (366 larvae per gram (l pg) of tissue), which were passed into mice and pigs. Multiplex PCR revealed a single 127 bp amplicon, indicative of Trichinella nativa. The Reproductive Capacity Index (RCI) for the T. nativa-Plymouth isolate in mice was 24.3. Worm burdens in the diaphragms of two 3-month-old pigs given 2,500 ML were 0.05 and 0.2l pg by 35 days post-inoculation, while 2.2 and 0.75 l pg were recovered from two 3-month-old pigs given 10,000 ML; no larvae were recovered from four 1-year-old pigs given 2,500 ML (n=2) or 10,000 ML (n=2). Viable larvae were also recovered from frozen black bear meat harvested at two additional locations, one in southern Ontario, Canada, and one in upstate New York, USA. Multiplex PCR using genomic DNA from these parasite samples demonstrated that both isolates were T. nativa. This is the first report of the freeze-resistant species, T. nativa, within the continental United States.     

First record of Trichinella pseudospiralis in the Slovak Republic found in domestic focus

Infection of Trichinella spp. is widespread among wildlife in Slovakia and the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the main reservoir of Trichinella britovi. Trichinella spiralis has been rarely documented in sylvatic and domestic animals of this country. During routine examination of domestic pigs at the slaughter, Trichinella larvae were detected by artificial digestion in a domestic pig of a large-scale breeding farm in Eastern Slovakia. The parasite has been identified by molecular (PCR) and biochemical (allozymes) analyses and by the morphology of the nurse cell as the non-encapsulated species Trichinella pseudospiralis infecting both mammals and birds. The epidemiological investigation carried out at the farm level revealed the presence of the same parasite species in other three pigs of 192 examined (2.1%), in 3 of 14 (21.4%) examined synanthropic rats (Rattus norvegicus) and in a domestic cat. The farm was characterized by inadequate sanitary conditions, insufficient nutrition, cannibalism and the presence of rat population. A different profile has been observed at the phosphoglucomutase locus in T. pseudospiralis isolates from Slovakia in comparison with the T. pseudospiralis reference isolate from the Palearctic region. This is the first documented focus of T. pseudospiralis from Central Europe. The detection in domestic pigs of a non-encapsulated parasite infecting both mammals and birds stresses the need to avoid the use of trichinelloscopy to detect this infection at the slaughterhouse.     

Peripheral blood mononuclear cell subsets during Trichinella spiralis infection in pigs

The immune response of 'Yugoslav meat breed' pigs inoculated with low doses of Trichinella spiralis muscle larvae was followed over two to nine weeks of primary infection, by analysing changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cell subsets, the development of a humoral antibody response and muscle larvae burden. During the course of the infection, infected animals showed a persistent elevation of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets from days 15 to 60 after the parasite exposure. During this time, the number of peripheral blood mononuclear cells expressing major histocompatibility complex class II antigens was also increased, while no significant differences were found in the number of circulating monocytes/macrophages and B cells over time. Humoral antibody responses to muscle larvae excretory-secretory products were evident as early as 41 days after infection, while the muscle larvae were recovered as early as 27 days after infection. The increased levels of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets, as well as cells expressing major histocompatibility complex class II antigens in pigs exposed to T spiralis, may be indicative of some considerable alterations in cell subsets that are involved in the regulation of the swine immune response to this parasite.     

Predilection muscles and physical condition of raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) experimentally infected with Trichinella spiralis and Trichinella nativa

The predilection muscles of Trichinella spiralis and T. nativa were studied in 2 experimental groups of 6 raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), the third group serving as a control for clinical signs. The infection dose for both parasites was 1 larva/g body weight. After 12 weeks, the animals were euthanized and 13 sampling sites were analysed by the digestion method. Larvae were found in all sampled skeleton muscles of the infected animals, but not in the specimens from the heart or intestinal musculature. Both parasite species reproduced equally well in the raccoon dog. The median density of infection in positive tissues was 353 larvae per gram (lpg) with T. spiralis and 343 lpg with T. nativa. All the infected animals had the highest larvae numbers in the carpal flexors (M. flexor carpi ulnaris). Also tongue and eye muscles had high infection levels. There were no significant differences in the predilection sites between these 2 parasite species. Trichinellosis increased the relative amount of fat, but not the body weight in the captive raccoon dogs. Thus, Trichinella as a muscle parasite might have catabolic effect on these animals.     

Tritrichomonas foetus isolates from cats and cattle show minor genetic differences in unrelated loci ITS-2 and EF-1α

The protozoan parasite Tritrichomonas foetus is well known as an important causative agent of infertility and abortion in cattle (bovine trichomonosis). This World Organisation for Animal Health (O.I.E.) notifiable disease is thought to be under control in many countries including Switzerland. In recent studies, however, T. foetus has also been identified as an intestinal parasite that causes chronic large-bowel diarrhoea in cats. Since the feline isolates were considered indistinguishable from bovine isolates, the possibility and risk of parasite transmission from cats to cattle and vice versa has been intensively discussed in current literature. Therefore, we investigated if cat and cattle isolates are genetically distinct from each other or in fact represent identical genotypes. For this purpose, two independent genetic loci were selected that turned out to be well-suited for a PCR sequencing-based genotyping of trichomonad isolates: (i) previously published internal transcribed spacer region 2 (ITS-2) and (ii) a semi-conserved sequence stretch of the elongation factor-1 alpha (EF-1α) gene used for the first time in the present study. Respective comparative analyses revealed that both loci were sufficiently variable to allow unambiguous genetic discrimination between different trichomonad species. Comparison of both genetic loci confirmed that T. suis and T. mobilensis are phylogenetically very close to T. foetus. Moreover, these two genetic markers were suited to define host-specific genotypes of T. foetus. Both loci showed single base differences between cat and cattle isolates but showed full sequence identity within strains from either cat or cattle isolates. Furthermore, an additional PCR with a forward primer designed to specifically amplify the bovine sequence of EF-1α was able to discriminate bovine isolates of T. foetus from feline isolates and also from other trichomonads. The implications these minor genetic differences may have on the biological properties of the distinct isolates remain to be investigated.     

Infectivity of Trichinella papuae for experimentally infected red foxes (Vulpes vulpes)

To evaluate infectivity for carnivores as well as other biological characteristics of the newly described Trichinella papuae, eight red foxes were experimentally infected with the parasite. Five weeks after inoculation, T. papuae larvae were recovered from nine different muscle types. The larvae recovered from muscle tissue were shown to be infective to mice, to have a very low tolerance to freezing, and to survive longer than the other Trichinella genotypes in decaying tissue up to 5 weeks after infection.     

Genetic diversity of major piroplasm surface protein genes and their allelic variants of Theileria parasites in Thai cattle.

Twenty-eight field isolated Theileria parasite DNAs obtained from dairy and beef cattle in distinct geographical areas of Thailand were characterized by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification with six sets of oligonucleotide primers. Three sets of them were modified from two genes of immunodominant major piroplasm surface protein (MPSP) coding for 32 kDa (p32) of T. sergenti and 33/34 kDa (p33/34) of T. buffeli, and MPSP of Theileria spp.(Thai-isolate). The other three sets of primers were basically generated from three alleles of MPSP which were specific for Japanese T. sergenti-Ikeda stock (I-type), Japanese T. sergenti-Chitose stock (C-type) and Australian T. buffeli-Warwick stock (B1-type), respectively. The results indicated that 14 out of 28 isolates were amplified by the Thai-specific primer whereas 6 isolates were amplified by the p32 specific primer and the other 5 isolates were amplified by the p32 and Thai-specific primers. In addition, by using the allele-specific PCR, 14 out of 28 isolates contained C-type MPSP whereas 3 isolates contained B1 type parasites. Interestingly, 20 out of 28 isolates could be amplified by the Thai-specific primer. The majority of Theileria parasites distributed in Thailand contained Thai type parasites, whereas C-type parasites showed the mixed population with B1 and Thai type parasites. No I type parasite was detected.     

Carbendazim,at concentrations used on pasture for facial eczema control,reduces development of Trichostrongylus colubriformis when sprayed onto infected sheep faeces

Abstract

AIM: To determine whether the fungicide, carbendazim, as applied to pastures for controlling facial eczema (FE), would inhibit development of the free-living stages of the gastrointestinal nematode parasite Trichostrongylus colubriformis.

METHODS: Two studies were conducted, using sheep faeces containing eggs of T. colubriformis. In the first, the faeces were either exposed or not to an application of carbendazim sprayed at the recommended rate for FE control. After spraying, dishes containing the faeces were incubated at 20°C for 14 days, and the resulting third-stage infective larvae (L3) extracted by baermannisation and counted. In addition, naturally infested pasture was also sprayed, and the number of L3 present 7 days later was assessed by cutting herbage samples and extracting larvae by soaking in water and baermannisation. In the second, the faeces were incubated at 20°C for 0, 3 or 7 days before being exposed to no, one or two applications of carbendazim. After further incubation for 14, 11 or 7 days, L3 were similarly extracted by baermannisation and counted.

RESULTS: In the first study, there was a 74% reduction in the number of T. colubriformis larvae recovered from faeces exposed to carbendazim compared with faeces not exposed, but there was no reduction in the number of L3 recovered from herbage. In the second study, faeces incubated for 0 or 3 days prior to exposure to a single application of carbendazim yielded 98% or 89% fewer larvae, respectively, than faeces not exposed. Faeces incubated for 7 days prior to exposure yielded similar numbers of larvae to faeces not exposed.

CONCLUSION: Treatment of pastures with carbendazim for FE control is likely to result in reduced development of the larvae of T. colubriformis, and by inference those of other species, where the application coincides with the presence of freshly deposited faeces containing eggs and developing larvae. However, no effect of treatment on L3 was indicated. The significance of this for on-farm nematode parasite control remains to be determined, as does any potential for strategic applications of carbendazim to pasture aimed at reducing numbers of parasite larvae on pasture. The latter should not be contemplated without due consideration of the implications for the development of anthelmintic resistance.     

Transformation of Theileria parva derived from African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) by tick passage in cattle and its use in infection and treatment immunization.

A sporozoite stabilate (St. 199) of Theileria parva was obtained by feeding nymphal Rhipicephalus appendiculatus on an African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and was used to immunize cattle by the infection and treatment method. Nymphal ticks were applied to one of the steers 90 days later and it was shown that the resultant adult tick had become infected. Using tick/cattle passage, two passage lines of T. parva were established. By the fifth tick/cattle passage, the parasite stocks had changed their behaviour to that of T. parva derived from cattle as the parasite produced relatively high schizont parasitosis and piroplasm parasitaemia in cattle, and had become highly infective to ticks. At various passage levels the parasite populations were characterized by behaviour and by monoclonal antibodies against T. parva schizonts using infected cell culture isolates from cattle during acute infections. The monoclonal antibody profile showed little evidence of antigen change of the parasite during passage through cattle, which was confirmed in a two-way cross-immunity experiment using sporozoite stabilate derived from ticks obtained from the buffalo and fourth passage in cattle. The implication of these results, particularly in relationship to immunization of cattle against T. parva derived from buffalo, is discussed.