Molecular characterization of Ascaridia galli from Bangladesh and development of a PCR method for distinguishing A. galli from Heterakis spp.

We analyzed the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 and ITS2 sequences for Bangladesh isolates of Ascaridia galli, and we determined that the sequences were unreliable as molecular markers for distinguishing A. galli from other Ascaridia species, because the sequences showed high identity with that of A. columbae. However, the ITS1 sequences were available for designing PCR primers distinguishable between Ascaridia galli and Heterakis spp. Bangladesh isolates of A. galli constituted a monophyletic clade along with other geographical isolates in the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) phylogenetic tree, however, we could not clarify the phylogenetic relationships between A. galli and other Ascaridia spp., because their available sequences in GenBank were very few. The developed PCR method using DNA from A. galli and Heterakis spp. eggs would enable differential diagnosis of the individual infections in the future.     

Evaluation the effect of subchronic feeding of transgenic cotton line (CKC1) on the faecal microbiota of albino rabbits

Recent studies have demonstrated a strong relationship between the intestinal microbiota and the host health. As such, consumers are increasingly becoming more concerned about the potential effect of certain foods/feeds, particularly of transgenic origin on the gut microbiota. Although the European Food Safety Authority has recommended in their guidelines, to study the effect of transgenic food/feed on host-microbiota, yet, few studies have focused on the evaluation of such effects mainly due to culturing difficulties. Therefore, this study was intended to evaluate the potential adverse effects of transgenic diet consumption on some specific gut microflora (Lactobacillus group, Bifidobacterium genus, Escherichia coli subgroup and Enterococcus genus) of rabbits. A total of forty-eight rabbits were randomly assigned into four groups and fed a diet containing a variable proportion of transgenic cottonseeds at 0, 20, 30 and 40% inclusion level, respectively. Changes in the specific or total faecal bacterial population were monitored at five different experimental stages (i.e. 0, 45, 90, 135 and 180 days) using both the traditional plate count method (TM) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). No significant differences (p > .05) were observed concerning numbers of specific bacteria or total bacteria between the control and experimental groups, though qPCR showed numerically higher values in terms of 16S rRNA gene copies as compared to the values obtained from TM. However, such numerical differences were biologically insignificant (p > .05). Similarly, no significant variations were noticed in the calculated B/E (log₁₀ copies of Bifidobacterium per g faces/log10 copies of E. coli genome per g faeces) ratios in all the groups. All the ratios were in the range of 1.24 to 1.30 throughout the experiment, indicating a good balance of intestinal microflora and greater resistance to intestinal disorders. It is therefore concluded that feeding transgenic cottonseeds could not adversely affect the gut microflora of rabbits during a long-term study.     

Recovery of sperms bearing X chromosomes with different concentrations of magnetic nanoparticles in ram

Pre-conceptual sex selection is still a highly debatable process whereby X and Y chromosome bearing spermatozoa are isolated before oocyte fertilization. Recently, magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) have been used to determine X and Y chromosomes bearing spermatozoa as a result of searching for a cheap, highly efficient method using non-toxic materials. This study aimed to recover the sperm bearing X chromosomes in ram with different concentrations of MNP and then evaluate the success of this method using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Ram sperms were divided into four groups, treated with 0 (control), 50, 100 and 200 μg/ml MNP, respectively. MNP was used to restore sperm cells bearing X chromosomes. Upon recovery, the PCR was performed to identify the X and Y sperms, Methyl ThiazoleTetrazolium (MTT), to assess MNP toxicity and sperm viability and acridine orange (AO) to evaluate sperm DNA integrity. The results of PCR revealed that the treatment of spermatozoa- bearing X chromosomes with 50 μg/ml MNP had the highest effects on the recovery of X sperm rather than the other concentrations of MNP. However, the concentrations of MNP did not have any toxic effects on spermatozoa, sperm viability and, DNA integrity, but the high concentration of MNP (200 μg/ml) significantly reduced DNA integrity. According to MTT and AO results, the concentrations of MNP used in this study had no toxic effects on spermatozoa and did not reduce the sperm viability and DNA integrity, except that 200 μg/ml MNP significantly reduced DNA integrity.     

基于非洲猪瘟病毒标准物质的荧光PCR检测试剂盒初步评价

为探究非洲猪瘟病毒(African swine fever virus,ASFV)标准物质作为试剂盒评价体系的可行性,比较了市场上5种主流品牌ASFV荧光PCR检测试剂盒的检测性能。使用ASFV P72基因核酸标准物质作为模板,根据5种试剂盒说明书分别进行相应的荧光定量PCR检测,结合扩增曲线、Ct值,分析不同试剂盒的敏感性、可重复性以及所需反应时间。结果显示:5种试剂盒的阴性、阳性对照均成立,最低检测限均为5.9×10^-1拷贝/μL;4个厂家的试剂盒线性关系R2>0.98,其中最优的R²=0.994,离散度最小;各试剂盒的实际反应耗时与理论反应耗时均有一定差异(0.20~0.96 h)。结果表明,各生产厂家使用P72基因作为靶基因研制的ASFV荧光PCR检测试剂盒都可以使用ASFV标准物质作为评价体系,来评判试剂盒的检测性能。本试验为各实验室不同样品检测的ASFV荧光PCR检测试剂盒选择提供了一种可用的评价方法。     

Validation of a multiplex PCR assay to detect Babesia spp. and Anaplasma marginale in cattle in Uruguay in the absence of a gold standard test

Detection of bovine Babesia spp. and Anaplasma marginale is based on the reading of Giemsa-stained blood or organ smears, which can have low sensitivity. Our aim was to improve the detection of bovine Babesia spp. and A. marginale by validating a multiplex PCR (mPCR). We used 466 samples of blood and/or organs of animals with signs and presumptive autopsy findings of babesiosis or anaplasmosis. The primers in our mPCR amplified the rap-1a gene region of Babesia bovis and B. bigemina, and the msp-5 region of A. marginale. We used a Bayesian model with a non-informative priori distribution for the prevalence estimate and informative priori distribution for estimation of sensitivity and specificity. The sensitivity and specificity for smear detection of Babesia spp. were 68.6% and 99.1%, and for A. marginale 85.6% and 98.8%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for mPCR detection for Babesia spp. were 94.2% and 97.1%, and for A. marginale 95.2% and 92.7%, respectively. Our mPCR had good accuracy in detecting Babesia spp. and A. marginale, and would be a reliable test for veterinarians to choose the correct treatment for each agent.     

Rapidly quantitative detection of Nosema ceranae in honeybees using ultra-rapid real-time quantitative PCR

BackgroundThe microsporidian parasite Nosema ceranae is a global problem in honeybee populations and is known to cause winter mortality. A sensitive and rapid tool for stable quantitative detection is necessary to establish further research related to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of this pathogen.ObjectivesThe present study aimed to develop a quantitative method that incorporates ultra-rapid real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (UR-qPCR) for the rapid enumeration of N. ceranae in infected bees.MethodsA procedure for UR-qPCR detection of N. ceranae was developed, and the advantages of molecular detection were evaluated in comparison with microscopic enumeration.ResultsUR-qPCR was more sensitive than microscopic enumeration for detecting two copies of N. ceranae DNA and 24 spores per bee. Meanwhile, the limit of detection by microscopy was 2.40 × 10⁴ spores/bee, and the stable detection level was ≥ 2.40 × 10⁵ spores/bee. The results of N. ceranae calculations from the infected honeybees and purified spores by UR-qPCR showed that the DNA copy number was approximately 8-fold higher than the spore count. Additionally, honeybees infected with N. ceranae with 2.74 × 10⁴ copies of N. ceranae DNA were incapable of detection by microscopy. The results of quantitative analysis using UR-qPCR were accomplished within 20 min.ConclusionsUR-qPCR is expected to be the most rapid molecular method for Nosema detection and has been developed for diagnosing nosemosis at low levels of infection.     

Immobilization,cardiopulmonary and blood gas effects of ketamine–butorphanol–medetomidine versus butorphanol–midazolam–medetomidine in free-ranging serval (Leptailurus serval)

ObjectiveTo compare ketamine–butorphanol–medetomidine (KBM) with butorphanol–midazolam–medetomidine (BMM) immobilization of serval.Study designBlinded, randomized trial.AnimalsA total of 23 captures [KBM: five females, six males; 10.7 kg (mean); BMM: 10 females, two males; 9.6 kg].MethodsServal were cage trapped and immobilized using the assigned drug combination delivered via a blow dart into gluteal muscles. Prior to darting, a stress score was assigned (0: calm; to 3: markedly stressed). Drug combinations were dosed based on estimated body weights: 8.0, 0.4 and 0.08 mg kg^–1 for KBM and 0.4, 0.3 and 0.08 mg kg^–1 for BMM, respectively. Time to first handling, duration of anaesthesia and recovery times were recorded. Physiological variables including blood glucose and body temperature were recorded at 5 minute intervals. Atipamezole (5 mg mg^–1 medetomidine) and naltrexone (2 mg mg^–1 butorphanol) were administered intramuscularly prior to recovery. Data, presented as mean values, were analysed using general linear mixed model and Spearman’s correlation (stress score, glucose, temperature); significance was p < 0.05.ResultsDoses based on actual body weights were 8.7, 0.4 and 0.09 mg kg^–1 for KBM and 0.5, 0.4 and 0.09 mg kg^–1 for BMM, respectively. Time to first handling was 10.2 and 13.3 minutes for KBM and BMM, respectively (p = 0.033). Both combinations provided cardiovascular stability during anaesthesia that lasted a minimum of 35 minutes. Recovery was rapid and calm overall, but ataxia was noted in KBM. Stress score was strongly correlated to blood glucose (r² = 0.788; p = 0.001) and temperature (r² = 0.634; p = 0.015).Conclusions and clinical relevanceBoth combinations produced similar effective immobilization that was cardiovascularly stable in serval. Overall, BMM is recommended because it is fully antagonizable. A calm, quiet environment before drug administration is essential to avoid capture-induced hyperglycaemia and hyperthermia.     

藏鸡和隐性白羽鸡感染柔嫩艾美耳球虫后免疫相关基因的表达变化分析

试验旨在从免疫遗传学的角度初步探讨藏鸡（TC）和隐性白羽鸡（RWC）对柔嫩艾美耳球虫（Eimeria tenella）易感性差异的分子机制,分别用1×10⁵个柔嫩艾美耳球虫孢子化卵囊感染对球虫具有抗性的藏鸡和易感的隐性白羽鸡。应用实时荧光定量PCR检测藏鸡和隐性白羽鸡感染前0 d和感染后第2、4、6和8天脾脏、盲肠、胸腺、法氏囊中γ-干扰素（IFN-γ）、白细胞介素-2（IL-2）、IL-16、Toll样受体（TLR3）和TLR15免疫相关基因的转录水平变化。结果显示,藏鸡脾脏IFN-γ、IL-2、IL-16及TLR3、TLR15免疫相关基因转录水平于感染后第4和8天明显上调,隐性白羽鸡则无明显变化。藏鸡盲肠IFN-γ转录水平在感染后第2天显著上调（P<0.05）,TLR3在感染后第4天起显著上调（P<0.05）,其余免疫相关基因变化幅度不大;隐性白羽鸡盲肠IFN-γ转录水平在感染后第8天显著上调（P<0.05）,IL-2在感染后第2天起显著上调（P<0.05）,IL-16在感染后第6天起显著上调（P<0.05）,TLR3在感染后第2和8天显著上调（P<0.05）,TLR15变化幅度不大。各免疫相关基因在2个品种鸡胸腺和法氏囊中均出现上调或下调,但除藏鸡法氏囊TLR3和TLR15转录水平变化幅度相对较大外,其余免疫相关基因与感染前相比变化幅度不大。以上结果显示,球虫感染主要导致藏鸡和隐性白羽鸡脾脏和盲肠中的各免疫相关基因出现显著变化,表明宿主的遗传背景在一定程度上可影响球虫感染的免疫应答。     

MSTN基因编辑牛肌肉转录组测序及生物信息学分析

为探究肌生长抑制素（myostatin,MSTN）基因对牛肌肉发育的具体调控机制,本研究选取同一牛场健康鲁西黄牛10头,其中通过转基因技术得到的基因编辑牛MSTN^-/-和同种非转基因野生型牛各5头。分别采集两组牛腿臀肌肉样品,利用IIlumina HiSeq高通量测序技术进行转录组测序分析,通过生物信息学方法比较两组样本间的差异表达基因,并进行GO和KEGG富集分析,最后利用实时荧光定量PCR验证转录组测序数据。结果显示,基因编辑型牛和野生型牛之间共检测到18 071个基因。在log₂|FoldChange|≥ 1.48条件下,筛选出406个差异表达基因,其中347个显著上调,59个显著下调。GO功能富集分析显示,MSTN基因编辑后显著影响915个功能类别（P<0.05）,差异基因主要参与结合、生物系统调节、免疫系统等相关功能。KEGG通路富集分析结果共涉及211个通路,差异基因主要富集在细胞黏附分子、趋化因子信号通路、细胞因子互作等信号通路上,进一步从中筛选出可能参与细胞生长、肌肉发育的差异基因（CD14、KIT、CSF1R、FBP1、DUSP4、ULBP21、PRKCB、SPN、CHAD、SRC）。实时荧光定量PCR检测结果显示,所选差异基因表达水平与转录组表达水平一致,证明测序结果的可靠性。本研究结果表明,MSTN基因发挥作用后可以介导多个下游基因表达,从而影响相关信号通路及生物学过程;同时,所筛选出的差异表达基因可作为进一步研究骨骼肌调控机制的候选靶标。