镰形扇头蜱肌钙蛋白I基因的克隆及其分布

本试验从镰形扇头蜱半饱血雌蜱唾液腺cDNA文库的EST中筛选了1个含polyA尾的基因序列,经5LRACE方法得到该基因全长序列.经同源性比较,该基因预测的氨基酸序列与长角血蜱肌钙蛋白I(GI14041807)的同源性为84.47%,肌动蛋白结合位点位于147-167氨基酸处,且与长角血蜱肌钙蛋白I肌动蛋白结合位点完全相同,表明该基因是镰形扇头蜱肌钙蛋白I基因.以镰形扇头蜱基因组DNA为模板扩增到编码肌钙蛋白I的基因组序列.序列分析表明该序列不含内含子.RT-PCR分析表明该基因在镰形扇头蜱的卵及其幼蜱、若蜱、成蜱的壳、唾液腺和肠均有表达.     

镰形扇头蜱免疫球蛋白结合蛋白的表达及免疫保护分析

为在大肠杆菌中高效表达镰形扇头蜱免疫球蛋白结合蛋白(immunoglobulin binding protein,IGBP),并对表达产物进行免疫保护效果测定,将IGBP基因克隆到pGEX-4T-1载体,转化到感受态细胞BL21,在IPTG诱导下进行表达;表达产物3次免疫家兔,剂量为500μg/只。3次免疫后进行攻蜱试验,观察免疫保护效果。结果发现在IPTG的诱导下,重组质粒pGEX-4T-1-IGBP在大肠杆菌中获得高效表达,产生GST-IGBP融合蛋白,用融和蛋白免疫家兔后,试验组与对照组成蜱饱血重量和死亡率差异显著(P<0.05)。表明重组质粒pGEX-4T-1-IGBP能在大肠杆菌中高效表达,且表达蛋白能够对家兔产生一定程度的抗蜱保护性免疫力。     

Detection of Babesia ovis by PCR in Rhipicephalus bursa collected from naturally infested sheep and goats

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to assess the presence and the frequency of Babesia ovis infection in the adult Rhipicephalus bursa and their hosts in Elazig province located in eastern Turkey. Tick and blood samples were collected from 32 sheep and 28 goats of four selected herds. A total of 226 R. bursa were randomly selected from the collected ticks and their salivary glands were dissected out in 0.85% saline under stereo microscope. DNA amplification method revealed that the frequency of B. ovis infections in the ticks and the small ruminants were 16.37% (37/226) and 6.66% (4/60), respectively. Three positive products, two of which were from the salivary glands of R. bursa and the other from sheep blood were purified from agarose gel and sequenced. The results showed that nucleotide sequences were identical to the previously reported nucleotide sequences of B. ovis. It is concluded that R. bursa might play an important role in the field as a natural vector of the parasite.     

镰形扇头蜱组胺结合蛋白RhHBP基因的克隆和重组表达

为了进行抗蜱及蜱传病疫苗的研究,本试验根据GenBank中的镰形扇头蜱组胺结合蛋白(Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloideshistamine bindingprotein,RhHBP)基因cDNA序列,设计一对特异性引物(内含EcoRI/XhoI酶切位点),经RT-PCR扩增了镰形扇头蜱组胺结合蛋白RhHBP的cD-NA,大小为603 bp,将其克隆到pGEM-Teasy中并测序。在去除编码RhHBP信号肽的核苷酸序列后,将其亚克隆到pGEX-4T-1中,构建重组质粒pGEX-4T-1-RhHBP,将该重组质粒转化大肠杆菌BL21,经终浓度为1 mmol/L IPTG诱导其表达,表达的融合蛋白大小为49 ku,以包涵体的形式存在。Western Blot分析表明,该蛋白具有良好的免疫原性。     

牛卵形巴贝斯虫PCR检测方法的建立及初步应用

为建立牛卵形巴贝斯虫(B.ovata)快速检测方法,本研究根据GenBank中登录的B.ovata CCTη基因序列设计引物,建立了PCR检测方法。对该方法的最佳反应条件进行优化,并进行特异性、敏感性及临床样本检测试验。结果表明,建立的PCR方法扩增B.ovata CCTη基因片段大小为1 008 bp,与参考株序列同源性为100%。该方法对牛巴贝斯虫、牛双芽巴贝斯虫、牛瑟氏泰勒虫基因组DNA扩增结果均为阴性。最低可以检测样品中34个拷贝的DNA。通过对49份临床样本的检测,该方法比姬姆萨染色镜检阳性率高8.2%。本实验为B.ovata的诊断提供了一种特异、敏感的检测技术。     

The distribution and hosts of Rhipicephalus glabroscutatum

Three domestic and 12 wild species of ungulate have been recorded as hosts of Rhipicephalus glabroscutatum. The major site of attachment for larvae, nymphs and adults is around the hooves and on the lower legs. This tick is virtually confined to the eastern Cape Province, Republic of South Africa. Classed as an obligative xerophile it inhabits non-coastal areas of low rainfall characterized by Karoo and Karoid vegetation.     

镰形扇头蜱P0基因的克隆表达及初步鉴定

P0分子是一种核糖体蛋白,具有抗蜱免疫作用。本文采用RACE技术从镰形扇头蜱(Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides)中获得了P0全长基因。通过对P0全长基因序列进行分析发现,P0全长基因为1 118 bp,具有一个编码319个氨基酸的开放阅读框,没有信号肽序列。推测P0的蛋白大小约为35 ku。P0与其他蜱种具有很高的同源性,与微小扇头蜱(Rhipicephalus microplus)和长角血蜱(Haemaphysalis longicornis)的P0基因同源性分别为94%和87%。编码区克隆到表达载体p GEX-4T-1中,转化表达宿主菌BL21,可表达出分子量约为60 ku的重组融合蛋白。表达的蛋白以包涵体的形式存在于菌体中。表达产物经GST树脂纯化后可得到纯度较高的目的蛋白。抗P0重组蛋白鼠血清可以识别蜱体内的P0蛋白,大小在35 ku。研究结果将为镰形扇头蜱新型防治技术研究提供基础。     

Species-specific PCR assay for the detection of Babesia odocoilei

We developed a PCR assay for the detection of Babesia odocoilei based on the 18S rRNA gene. Multiple specimens of B. odocoilei were examined, and the assay consistently produced a small specific PCR product of 306 bp. The PCR assay was also challenged with DNA from 13 other Babesia species and 2 Theileria species, originating from 10 different host species; however, nonspecific DNA amplification and multiple banding patterns were observed, and the amplicon banding patterns varied between different isolates of the same species. Sensitivity was determined to be 6.4 pg of DNA, and an estimated 0.0001% parasitism. This assay can be utilized for species-specific differential detection of B. odocoilei.     

镰形扇头蜱唾液腺、中肠和卵的菌群结构

采用PCR-DGGE技术分析了镰形扇头蜱雌成蜱中肠内容物、唾液腺、虫卵的菌群结构。无菌条件下采集镰形扇头蜱雌成蜱中肠内容物、唾液腺、虫卵,提取细菌总DNA;以通用引物扩增细菌16SrDNA V3区;DGGE电泳,回收、克隆、测定DGGE优势条带。结果表明,饱血和半饱血雌蜱中肠菌群结构相同,中肠内容物、唾液腺和虫卵部分细菌相同;9条明显条带的序列分别与柯克斯体属(Coxiella sp.)、假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas sp.)芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus sp.)、葡萄球菌属(Staphylococcus sp.)、涅斯捷连科菌属(Nesterenkonia)、共生菌(Symbiotic bacteria)和未培养土壤细菌的16SrDNA V3区序列高度相似。分离到2株细菌,为模仿葡萄球菌和蜡样芽孢杆菌。     

镰形扇头蜱组胺结合蛋白全长基因的克隆与分析

从本实验室构建的镰形扇头蜱（Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides）抑制消减杂交cDNA文库中选择了1条可能编码组胺结合蛋白（HBP）的EST序列（RhHBP）,以5′末端快速扩增的方法（5′RACE）扩增获得5′末端序列,拼接获得全长基因。DNAMAN（v4.0）、DNAstar（v4.0）和Genetyx（v4.0）软件分析阅读框、编码产物、序列同源性和系统进化,同时也分析了该基因在吸血前后雌雄蜱体内的表达情况。5′RACE法获得1条约400 bp的DNA片段,克隆测序,拼接获得1条长803 bp的全长基因,编码219个氨基酸残基。该基因在吸血雌蜱唾液腺内特异表达,初步分析该基因是组胺结合蛋白基因。     

牛巴贝斯虫实时荧光PCR检测方法的建立

为建立牛巴贝斯虫(B.bovis)的TaqMan实时荧光PCR检测方法,本研究根据GenBank中B.bovis的18S rRNA基因保守序列,设计引物和TaqMan探针,通过优化反应体系,建立检测B.bovis的实时荧光PCR方法.试验结果表明:实时荧光PCR对靶基因的最低检测值为1.31×101 copies/μL,比常规PCR的敏感性高1 000倍;而且与牛的其他血液原虫无交叉反应;组内及组间重复性试验的变异系数均小于3％,具有良好的重复性;在23份被检样品中,实时荧光PCR和常规PCR的检出率分别为52.17％和30.43％.该检测方法的建立为B.bovis的检测提供了一种快速、敏感、特异的技术手段.     

牛卵形巴贝斯虫巢式PCR诊断方法的建立及初步应用

根据GenBank上发表的牛卵形巴贝斯虫CCTη基因序列设计合成2对巢式PCR引物,建立牛卵形巴贝斯虫巢式PCR诊断方法,对该方法的最佳反应条件进行了筛选,并进行了特异性、敏感性及临床样本检测试验。结果表明,建立的巢式PCR方法外引物扩增牛卵形巴贝斯虫基因组片段的长度为1 008bp,内引物为537bp;该方法扩增不出牛瑟氏泰勒虫、弓形虫、犬新孢子虫基因组DNA;最低检测DNA含量为16fg;通过对46份临床样本的检测,该巢式PCR较常规PCR阳性检出率高8.7%。本试验为牛卵形巴贝斯虫病的诊断提供了一种更为特异、敏感的检测技术。     

双芽巴贝斯虫TaqMan实时荧光PCR检测方法的建立

根据双芽巴贝斯虫(Babesia bigemina)18SrRNA基因的保守序列,设计特异性引物和TaqMan探针,建立了检测双芽巴贝斯虫的实时荧光PCR方法。该方法灵敏度高,最小检出量为1.1×101 copies/μL的标准质粒,比常规PCR灵敏1 000倍;重复性好,组内和组间重复性试验的变异系数分别为0.21%¹.14%和0.31%1.14%和0.31%¹.50%,均小于2%;特异性强,对牛常见的其他两种血液原虫和健康血液无交叉反应。用建立的实时荧光PCR和常规PCR分别对30份临床样品进行检测,实时荧光PCR和常规PCR的检出率分别为30%和16.7%。结果表明,本研究建立的荧光TaqMan实时荧光PCR方法可以灵敏、准确、快速检测双芽巴贝斯虫感染,将为蜱传牛梨形虫病的流行病学调查和防制提供新的方法。     

Babesia canis canis in dogs from Hungary: detection by PCR and sequencing

Canine babesiosis in Hungary has always been a severe and frequent disease, attributed to infection with Babesia canis transmitted by Dermacentor reticulatus. Identification of the disease agent has been based merely on size and morphology of the intraerythrocytic parasites and no evidence has been found concerning the subspecies (genotype) of B. canis. Therefore, a molecular survey on natural Babesia infection of dogs in Hungary using PCR and sequence analysis was attempted to clarify the subspecies (genotype) and to obtain information on the occurrence of B. canis. A total of 44 blood samples from dogs showing clinical signs of babesiosis were collected. A piroplasm-specific PCR amplifying the partial 18S rRNA gene yielded an approximately 450 bp PCR product in 39 (88.6%) samples. Thirteen positive samples originated from Budapest and 26 from 21 other locations. Five PCR products were chosen randomly for sequencing. The partial 18S rDNA sequences were submitted to GenBank (accession numbers AY611729; AY611730; AY611731; AY611732 and AY611733). The sequences showed 100% homology to one another or differed by one nucleotide. BLAST search against GenBank revealed the highest similarity (99.8 or 100%) with Babesia canis canis. The implication of these data, for the further study and diagnosis of canine babesiosis is discussed.     

Development of a single-round and multiplex PCR method for the simultaneous detection of Babesia caballi and Babesia equi in horse blood

With the aim of developing more simple diagnostic alternatives, a differential single-round and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was designed for the simultaneous detection of Babesia caballi and Babesia equi, by targeting 18S ribosomal RNA genes. The multiplex PCR amplified DNA fragments of 540 and 392 bp from B. caballi and B. equi, respectively, in one reaction. The PCR method evaluated on 39 blood samples collected from domestic horses in Mongolia yielded similar results to those obtained from confirmative PCR methods that had been established earlier. Thus, the single-round and multiplex PCR method offers a simple tool for the differential diagnosis of B. caballi and B. equi infections in routine diagnostic laboratory settings as well as in epidemiological studies.     

A field evaluation of PCR for the routine detection of Babesia equi in horses

We report on a study that evaluated the usefulness of PCR for the routine detection of Babesia equi in horses. The blood from a total of 105 horses comprising both sick and apparently healthy animals were examined for the presence of B. equi using both Wright-Giemsa-stained blood smears and PCR. Microscopic analysis of Giemsa-stained blood smears revealed 10/105 animals positive for Babesia, compared to 16/105 for the primary PCR and 36/105 for the nested PCR. Three of the 10 samples positive by Wright-Giemsa-stain were negative by PCR for B. equi. However, evidence is presented that these samples contained B. caballi and not B. equi. The Wright-Giemsa-stain was shown to identify Babesia in mostly clinically ill animals while the nested PCR detected the organism in a large number of apparently healthy animals. The results of this study suggest that the nested PCR is superior to both Wright-Giemsa-stained and primary PCR methods, and should be considered for the routine detection of B. equi in both healthy and clinically ill horses.     

牛卵形巴贝斯虫不同靶基因PCR检测方法的比较

旨在筛选出检测牛卵形巴贝斯虫特异、敏感的PCR方法。本试验以牛卵形巴贝斯虫18S rRNA、AMA-1和CCTη基因为靶基因进行PCR检测,从敏感性、特异性和临床检出率方面进行比较。结果显示,以18S rRNA基因的PCR方法敏感性最高,最小检出率为16 fg/μL;以CCTη为靶基因的PCR方法敏感性最低,检测量为1.6 pg/μL;而以顶膜抗原(AMA-1)为靶基因的PCR方法的最低检测量为160 fg/μL。三种靶基因均扩增不出牛瑟氏泰勒虫、牛巴贝斯虫和双芽巴贝斯虫基因片段。通过60份临床血液样本的检测结果表明,以18S rRNA基因设计引物的检出率最高,为30%(18/60),明显高于以AMA-1基因25%(15/60)和CCTη基因21.67%(13/60)。本试验为卵形巴贝斯虫病的诊断提供了更为敏感、特异的检测技术。     

Molecular detection of Babesia equi and Babesia caballi in horse blood by PCR amplification of part of the 16S rRNA gene.

Babesia equi and Babesia caballi are tick-borne haemoparasites that may cause babesiosis of Equidae. In southern Europe B. equi is enzootic and infections may occur asymptomatically and more frequently than those due to B. caballi. Complement fixation test (CFT) is the official serological test for the diagnosis of equine babesiosis, but it has low sensitivity during early and latent stages of the disease. With the aim of developing more sensitive and rapid direct diagnostic alternatives, PCR systems that amplified DNA targets of 664 or 659 bp regions of the 16S rRNA genes were designed and demonstrated to specifically detect the genomes of B. equi and B. caballi, respectively. An approximated parasitaemia of 0.000083% was detected by the PCR system for B. equi compared with reported limits of 0.001% for microscopic examination of stained blood smears, and up to 0.00025% for DNA probes. Although the sensitivity of the PCR system for B. caballi could not be estimated, samples with microscopically undetectable parasitaemia as well as those with 0.017% parasitised red blood cells were detected. DNA extracts of blood collected with EDTA as an anticoagulant from 23 horses from Portugal were tested with both PCR systems. Of these samples, 22 were positive for B. equi and 8 were positive for B. caballi with PCR tests and intraerythrocytic parasites were seen in all samples. Antibodies against both parasites were not detected by CFT in several cases, but in these cases the presence of either or both parasites was apparent by PCR tests. The PCR systems may be useful in the diagnosis of equine babesiosis covering a wider range of clinical disease, as useful adjuncts to serological, microscopic, and cultural methods, especially for the import and export testing of horses.     

Identification of Rickettsia felis in fleas but not ticks on stray cats and dogs and the evidence of Rickettsia rhipicephali only in adult stage of Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides

Rickettsia spp. are zoonotic pathogens and mainly transmitted by various arthropod vectors, such as fleas, ticks, and lice. Previous epidemiological studies indicated that ectoparasites infested on dogs or cats may be infected by Rickettsia spp., and transmit them to human beings accidentally. In this study, the prevalence of Rickettsia infection was evaluated using fleas and ticks from stray dogs and cats in Taiwan. A total of 158 pools made by 451 cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) from 37 dogs and 4 cats were used for analysis. Besides, 386 Rhipicephalus ticks collected from the other 62 stray dogs were included in this study. Nymphal and adult ticks were individually analyzed but larvae were separated into 21 pools for molecular detection. Partial sequencing analysis of the gltA gene was applied for Rickettsia identification. The results showed that 44.3% (70/158) of the cat flea pools were harboring Rickettsia DNA. Although 6.9% (13/187) of adult ticks were infected with Rickettsia, neither larval pools nor nymphal ticks were found to contain Rickettsia DNA. According to the results of sequencing analyses, all Rickettsia PCR-positive cat flea pools were infected with R. felis, and all Rickettsia PCR-positive adult ticks were infected with R. rhipicephali. The results of this study demonstrated that C. felis but not Rhipicephlus sanguineus (the brown dog tick) and Rh. haemaphysaloides collected from stray animals in Taiwan could be infected the zoonotic pathogen R. felis. Moreover, R. rhipicephali was only identified in adult stage of Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Rh. haemaphysaloides.