Real-time PCR genotyping assay for feline erythrocyte pyruvate kinase deficiency and mutant allele frequency in purebred cats in Japan

Erythrocyte pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency is an inherited glycolytic erythroenzymopathy caused by mutations of the PKLR gene. A causative mutation of the feline PKLR gene was originally identified in Abyssinian and Somali cats in the U.S.A. In the present study, a TaqMan probe-based real-time PCR genotyping assay was developed and evaluated for rapid genotyping and large-scale screening for this mutation. Furthermore, a genotyping survey was carried out in a population of four popular purebred cats in Japan to determine the current mutant allele frequency. The assay clearly displayed all genotypes of feline PK deficiency, indicating its suitability for large-scale survey as well as diagnosis. The survey demonstrated that the mutant allele frequency in Abyssinian and Somali cats was high enough to warrant measures to control and prevent the disease. The mutant allele frequency was relatively low in Bengal and American Shorthair cats; however, the testing should still be carried out to prevent the spread of the disease. In addition, PK deficiency should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of anemia in purebred cats in Japan as well as worldwide.     

Presentation and management of trapped neutrophil syndrome (TNS) in UK border collies

Three UK bred Border collie puppies were presented for investigation of pyrexia and severe lameness with associated joint swelling. Investigations revealed neutropenia, radiographic findings suggesting metaphyseal osteopathy, and polyarthritis and all dogs were subsequently confirmed with trapped neutrophil syndrome. Clinical improvement was seen after treatment with prednisolone and antibiotics and the dogs all survived to adulthood with a good short‐ to medium‐term outcome. Trapped neutrophil syndrome is an important differential diagnosis for young Border collie dogs in the UK presenting with pyrexia, neutropenia and musculoskeletal signs.     

Novel genotyping assay for the nt230 (del4) ABCB1 gene mutation and its allele frequency in Border Collie dogs in Mexico

A 4-bp deletion in the ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1 (ABCB1) gene, also referred to as the multidrug resistance gene (MDR1), produces stop codons that cause premature termination of P-glycoprotein 1 (P-gp) synthesis. Dogs with the homozygous mutation do not express functional P-gp, which increases their sensitivity markedly to many common veterinary drugs. We detected the nt230 (del4) ABCB1 mutation in Border Collie dogs in western Mexico with a simple and affordable primer-introduced restriction analysis PCR (PIRA-PCR). PIRA-PCR clearly identified all genotypes in our sample of 104 dogs. Genotype frequencies were 0.952 (wild/wild), 0.029 (wild/mut) and 0.019 (mut/mut). Allele frequencies were 0.033 (mutant alleles) and 0.966 (wild-type alleles). In this small subset of the Mexican dog population, we found a higher prevalence of the nt230 (del4) MDR1/ABCB1 gene mutation than reported in other countries.     

Frequency of the mutant MDR1 allele associated with multidrug sensitivity in a sample of collies from France

A study was performed to determine the frequency of the mutant MDR1 allele associated with ivermectin sensitivity in a sample of collies living in France. Buccal swab samples were collected from approximately 83 collies for determination of MDR1 genotype. DNA was extracted and the polymerase chain reaction was performed to amplify a 148 bp (wildtype MDR1 genotype) or 144 bp (mutant MDR1 genotype) amplicon containing the MDR1 mutation. Sequence analysis was performed to determine the genotype of each dog. Adequate quantities of DNA for unequivocal genotyping were obtained from only 25 of 83 swabs. Twenty percent (5/25) of the collies studied were homozygous for the normal allele (normal), 32% (8/25) were heterozygous (carrier), and 48% (12/25) were homozygous for the mutant allele (affected). The results of this study indicate that a high percentage of collies presenting to veterinarians in France harbor the MDR1 mutation, thus impacting some therapeutic decisions.     

Real—time PCR和PCR方法快速检测犬细小病毒

为适应出入境口岸对进出境宠物快速检疫的需要,本研究在建立PCR方法检测犬细小病毒(CPV)的基础上,进一步采用Taqman探针技术建立了快速检测CPV的Real-time PCR方法.通过灵敏度对比试验,证实Real-time PCR方法比PCR方法检测灵敏度显著提高.通过对大量不同采样部位样品的检测证实,本研究建立的Real-time PCR和PCR方法具有较高的可靠性,并可显著提高CPV的阳性检出率.     

.基于TaqMan探针的牛布氏杆菌实时荧光定量PCR的特异性鉴定

根据牛布氏杆菌BM28保守序列设计引物和探针,建立了一种快速鉴定牛布氏杆菌的TaqMan实时荧光定量PCR方法。以梯度稀释的含有目的扩增片段的重组质粒作为标准品,进行定量PCR反应。结果显示:5.0×105~5.0×101拷贝范围内定量PCR均有"S"型扩增曲线,检测灵敏度为50拷贝每微升。本研究建立的实时荧光定量PCR方法具有灵敏度高、特异性和重复性好、方便经济的特性,在牛布氏杆菌的检测与鉴定中具有良好的应用前景。     

高致病性猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒实时荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立

根据GenBank公布的24株高致病性猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒毒株和5株PRRSV经典毒株的保守区基因序列,使用PrimerExpress 3.0软件设计并合成实时荧光定量PCR（Real-timeFluorescent Quantitative PCR,Real-time FQ-PCR）用引物和探针,建立了Real-time FQ-PCR检测方法以鉴别检测高致病性猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒。用建立的检测方法对已定量的10倍倍比稀释的质粒pGET-258为标准品进行检测,并与常规PCR进行比较。结果显示,该Real-time FQ-PCR方法敏感度可达1.5个拷贝,比常规PCR敏感度高100倍,且批内和批间重复性检测结果的变异系数均小于2%。用该方法与常规PCR方法及病毒分离方法对18份临床样品进行对比检测,显示该方法灵敏度高、成本低,并且能够对样品中病毒进行定量,为高致病性猪繁殖与呼吸综合征的快速鉴别诊断提供了有效的技术手段。     

Advantages of real-time PCR assay for diagnosis and monitoring of canine leishmaniosis

The aim of the present study is to highlight the advantages of real-time quantitative PCR intended to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of canine leishmaniosis. Diagnosis of canine leishmaniosis is extremely challenging, especially in endemic areas, due to the diverse and non-specific clinical manifestations, and due to the high seroprevalence rate in sub-clinical dogs. Veterinarian clinicians are usually confronted with cases that are compatible with the disease, and with several diagnostic tests, sometimes with contradictory results. We have developed a new TaqMan assay, targeting the kinetoplast, applied to 44 samples of bone marrow aspirate or peripheral blood. The dynamic range of detection of Leishmania DNA was established in 7 logs and the limit of detection is 0.001 parasites in the PCR reaction. At the time of diagnosis parasitemia ranges from less than 1 to 10(7)parasites/ml. The ability to quantify the parasite burden allowed: (i) to elucidate the status of positive dogs by conventional PCR, although larger studies are necessary to clarify the dividing line between infection and disease, (ii) to estimate the kinetics of the parasite load and the different response to the treatment in a follow-up and (iii) to validate blood as less invasive sample for qPCR. The continuous data provided by real-time qPCR could solve the dilemma for the clinician managing cases of canine leishmaniosis by differentiating between Leishmania-infected dogs or dogs with active disease of leishmaniosis.     

犬瘟热病毒一步法荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立

为建立犬瘟热病毒(CDV)TaqMan实时荧光定量PCR检测方法,根据CDV核衣壳蛋白(NP)基因序列,设计合成2对通用引物和1条通用探针,通过体外转录构建绝对定量标准品RNA。对荧光定量PCR方法的各项条件进行优化,建立CDV荧光定量PCR检测方法,该方法检测灵敏度可达4.02拷贝/μL,比普通RT-PCR方法的灵敏度高出100倍,具有良好的重复性。对犬细小病毒(CPV)、犬腺病毒(CAV-1)、犬冠状病毒(CCV)、犬副流感病毒(CPIV)核酸检测为阴性,具有很好的特异性。研究结果表明,建立的CDV荧光定量PCR方法具有敏感性高、特异性强、重复性好的特点,为犬瘟热的早期诊断提供了重要的技术支撑。     

Evaluation of a serum-based PCR assay for the diagnosis of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis

The aim of this study was to estimate the relative diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in the serum of dogs with naturally occurring non-myelosuppressive canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME), and to investigate the association between PCR positivity and immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) titres for Ehrlichia canis. Serum samples obtained from 38 dogs with non-myelosuppressive CME and 12 healthy dogs were analyzed retrospectively. Each serum sample was analyzed in triplicate using an E. canis-specific nested PCR assay targeting a 389 bp sequence of the 16S rRNA gene. E. canis DNA was amplified in 24 of 38 (63.1%) affected dogs; all samples from healthy dogs were negative. A high level of agreement was found among the PCR replicates (P < 0.0001). Median IFA titre of the 24 PCR-positive dogs was significantly lower than that of the PCR-negative infected dogs (P = 0.0029), indicating that E. canis DNA may circulate prior to the development of a high antibody titre. Serum-based PCR analysis is suggested for the early diagnosis of CME when whole blood samples are not available.     

鸡传染性支气管炎病毒Real-time PCR方法的建立及其对感染鸡体内病毒的检测

本研究针对传染性支气管炎病毒（IBV）tl／CH／LDT3／03毒株的N基因（GenBank登录号为AY702975）设计并合成了一对引物,构建重组质粒作为阳性标准品,建立了检测IBV核酸的SYBRGreenⅠ荧光定量PCR方法。该方法可检测到初始模板中6．45&#215;10copies／μL的病毒核酸。与常规PCR相比,敏感性高100倍。该检测方法特异性强,与其它禽源病毒如新城疫病毒（NDV）、传染性喉气管炎病毒（ILTV）、传染性法氏囊病毒（IBDV）、禽流感病毒（AIV）、马立克氏病毒（MDV）均不发生交叉反应;重复性试验的变异系数小于2．6％。结果表明,本试验建立的荧光定量PCR检测方法灵敏度高、特异性强、重复性好,可用于传染性支气管炎的临床诊断。同时应用本方法对人工感染IBV的SPF鸡的主要脏器盲肠扁桃体、肾脏、肺和气管进行了病毒RNA定量检测,结果表明,肾脏的病毒含量最高,盲肠扁桃体中病毒持续的时间最长,从而揭示了IBV在SPF鸡体内复制的动态变化,证实了感染鸡的临床表现与病毒滴度的时间相关性。     

Real-time PCR assay in Leishmania-infected dogs treated with meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol

A real-time PCR assay was exploited for monitoring the Leishmania DNA load in different tissues from 18 naturally-infected dogs before and after treatment with a combination of meglumine antimoniate (100mg/kg/day, subcutaneously) and allopurinol (10mg/kg/day, orally) for 30 days. After the combined therapy, allopurinol was continued at the same dose until the end of the observation period. Whole blood samples, lymph node aspirates, and skin biopsies were collected at the time of diagnosis, 1 month after starting therapy, and every 3 months for 2 years. In six dogs parasite load assessments continued every 6 months for a further 3 years. At each assessment, the dogs were examined for signs of disease and a clinical score was recorded. At diagnosis, the highest Leishmania DNA load was detected in lymph node aspirates. From 1-6 months post-therapy a general improvement in clinical conditions was recorded in all dogs, which correlated with a decrease in the parasite DNA load in all tested tissues, even though it was less pronounced in lymph node aspirates. In the period from 9-24 months post-therapy, a re-increase in parasite load was observed in the tissues of some dogs, concomitant with a disease relapse. The results show that the combined therapy with meglumine antimoniate and allopurinol promoted a clinical improvement which was accompanied by a reduction in the parasitic load in the blood, skin and lymph nodes but, even after long period of allopurinol administration alone, Leishmania may persist in dog tissues.     

A new Brucella canis species-specific PCR assay for the diagnosis of canine brucellosis

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that is transmitted from animals to humans, and the development of a rapid, accurate, and widely available identification method is essential for diagnosing this disease. In this study, we developed a new Brucella canis species-specific (BcSS) PCR assay and evaluated its specificity and sensitivity. A specific PCR primer set was designed based on the BCAN_B0548-0549 region in chromosome II of B. canis. The PCR detection for B. canis included amplification of a 300-bp product that is, not found on other Brucella species or, genetically or serologically related bacteria. The detection limit of BcSS-PCR assay was 6 pg/μl by DNA dilution, or 3 × 10³ colony-forming units (CFU) in the buffy coats separated from whole blood experimentally inoculated with B. canis. Using the buffy coat in this PCR assay resulted in approximately 100-times higher sensitivity for B. canis as compared to detect directly from whole blood. This is the first report of a species-specific PCR assay to detect B. canis, and the new assay will provide a valuable tool for the diagnosis of B. canis infection.     

犬常见传染病诊断基因芯片的研究与应用

根据PCR技术扩增出犬腺病毒（CAV）ORF1（p-Ⅷ）基因、犬细小病毒（CPV）VP2基因、鸡血红蛋白的珠蛋白基因（GLOBc）各保守基因片段；采用RT—PCR扩增出犬冠状病毒（CCV）纤突蛋白（S）基因、犬瘟热病毒（cDV）融合蛋白（F）基因、犬副流感病毒（CPIV）核衣壳结构蛋白（NP）基因、狂犬病病毒（RV）核蛋白（N）基因的各一段保守序列，克隆荻取质粒。通过微量点样技术将这些质粒作为探针点在硝酸纤维素膜上，产生二维DNA探针阵列，制作成诊断基因芯片。对360份待检样品匀浆后提取核酸作为模板，扩增相应保守基因片段。通过生物素标记PCR（RT—PCR）技术，将所获得的扩增产物与诊断基因芯片进行特异性的逆向点杂交，然后用扫描仪对芯片进行扫描分析、判断。结果表明，此方法比病毒分离、HI、PCR或RT—PCR方法灵敏度高、特异性强，平均检出率要高20％以上，并可同时对犬多种疫病进行快速诊断。     

The development of a real-time PCR assay for the quantification of Leishmania infantum DNA in canine blood

Recent research has demonstrated the high sensitivity of real time PCR (qPCR) in the diagnosis of Leishmania infantum infection. The goal of this study was to develop and evaluate a qPCR detection system for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniosis (VL) in dogs. Specific primer sets were developed for the Leishmania donovani complex, in which a fragment of 132 bp of kDNA from L. infantum was amplified. The reaction was performed using the ABI PRISM 7000 system with ABI PRISM software used to carry out the analysis. When canine blood samples were assessed using this system the detection limit of the method was found to be 0.07 parasites per reaction, the efficiency was 94.17% (R² = 0.93, slope = −3.47) and the sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 83.33% respectively. The use of such a sensitive, reproducible and rapid qPCR-based assay will be useful in the diagnosis and control of L. infantum infection in endemic areas, where serological surveys often underestimate true disease prevalence.     

Multiplex PCR assay for the detection of high virulence rabbit Staphylococcus aureus strains

High virulence rabbit Staphylococcus aureus strains, which are clonal in origin, are responsible for the spread of chronic staphylococcosis at the rabbit flock level. The aim of the present study was to develop a multiplex PCR assay that can be used for the identification of these high virulence strains. Two targets of the assay were the bbp and the selm genes, which have recently been shown to occur specifically in high virulence isolates. A third target was a sequence designated "flank", which was derived from a previously generated high virulence specific RAPD pattern. Furthermore, the femA gene, which is specific for S. aureus, was incorporated in order to avoid false negative results due to insufficient DNA preparation. The multiplex PCR was successful at differentiating the 26 typical high virulence and 50 low virulence rabbit S. aureus strains incorporated in the present study. Therefore it is useful for the initial screening of newly acquired breeding stock, in order to prevent the intake of high virulence strains in rabbitries.     

A real-time PCR assay for rapid detection and quantitation of canine parvovirus type 2 in the feces of dogs

We describe a rapid, sensitive and reproducible real-time PCR assay for detecting and quantifying canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) DNA in the feces of dogs with diarrhea. An exogenous internal control was added to control the assay performance from extraction to amplification. The method was demonstrated to be highly specific and sensitive, allowing a precise CPV-2 DNA quantitation over a range of eight orders of magnitude (from 10(2) to 10(9) copies of standard DNA). The reproducibility of the CPV-2 real-time PCR assay was assessed by calculating the coefficients of variation (CV) intra-assay and inter-assay for samples containing amounts of CPV-2 DNA spanning the whole range of the real-time PCR standard curve. Then, fecal specimens from diarrheic dogs were analyzed by hemagglutination (HA), conventional PCR and real-time amplification. Comparison between these different techniques revealed that real-time PCR is more sensitive than HA and conventional gel-based PCR, allowing to detect low viral titers of CPV-2 in infected dogs.