scholarly journals Molecular characterization of a Toxocara variant from cats in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Parasitology ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Q. ZHU ◽  
D. E. JACOBS ◽  
N. B. CHILTON ◽  
R. A. SANI ◽  
N. A. B. Y. CHENG ◽  
...  

The ascaridoid nematode of cats from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, previously identified morphologically as Toxocara canis, was characterized using a molecular approach. The nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) region spanning the first internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1), the 5·8S gene and the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS-2) was amplified and sequenced. The sequences for the parasite from Malaysian cats were compared with those for T. canis and T. cati. The sequence data showed that this taxon was genetically more similar to T. cati than to T. canis in the ITS-1, 5·8S and ITS-2. Differences in the ITS-1 and ITS-2 sequences between the taxa (9·4–26·1%) were markedly higher than variation between samples within T. canis and T. cati (0–2·9%). The sequence data demonstrate that the parasite from Malaysian cats is neither T. canis nor T. cati and indicate that it is a distinct species. Based on these data, PCR-linked restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) methods were employed for the unequivocal differentiation of the Toxocara variant from T. canis and T. cati. These methods should provide valuable tools for studying the life-cycle, transmission pattern(s) and zoonotic potential of this parasite.

Parasitology ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 124 (6) ◽  
pp. 615-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Q. ZHU ◽  
S. D'AMELIO ◽  
H. W. PALM ◽  
L. PAGGI ◽  
M. GEORGE-NASCIMENTO ◽  
...  

The anisakid nematodes morphologically corresponding with Pseudoterranova decipiens sensu lato (s.l.) (Krabbe, 1878) from different seal or sea lion hosts and geographical origins, previously identified as Pseudoterranova krabbei, P. decipiens (s.s.), P. bulbosa, P. azarasi and P. cattani by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, were characterized using a DNA approach. Also a population of P. decipiens (s.l.) from Chaenocephalus aceratus, the blackfin icefish, from Antarctica and another from Osmerus eperlanus, the European smelt, from Germany were included in the study. The first (ITS-1) and second (ITS-2) internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) were amplified by PCR from individual nematodes and analysed by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), followed by selective sequencing. While no variation in single-stranded ITS-1 and ITS-2 profiles was detected among samples representing each of the species or populations (with the exception of slight microheterogeneity), SSCP analysis of the ITS-2 amplicons allowed the unequivocal differentiation of all of the 5 sibling species of P. decipiens (s.l.) examined, which was supported by sequence differences in ITS rDNA. Samples representing the P. decipiens (s.l.) population from O. eperlanus had the same SSCP profile as those of P. decipiens (s.s.), which was supported by a lack of nucleotide difference in the ITS between them, suggesting that the former represented P. decipiens (s.s.). Based on SSCP results and ITS sequence data, P. decipiens (s.l.) from C. aceratus was genetically most distinct with respect to all other members of Pseudoterranova examined, which indicated that it may represent P. decipiens E (based on geographical origin) or a distinct species. These findings and the molecular approach taken should have important implications for studying the life-cycles, transmission patterns, epidemiology and population genetics of these anisakid nematodes, and the diagnosis of their infections.


2002 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorothy A. Steane ◽  
Dean Nicolle ◽  
Gay E. McKinnon ◽  
René E. Vaillancourt ◽  
Brad M. Potts

This expanded survey of ITS sequences represents the largest analysis of molecular data ever attempted on Eucalyptus. Sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA were included in an analysis of 90 species of Eucalyptus s.s. and 28 species representing eight other genera (Allosyncarpia, Angophora, Arillastrum, Corymbia, Eucalyptopsis, Stockwellia, Lophostemon and Metrosideros). The results of the study indicate that Angophora and Corymbia form a well-supported clade that is highly differentiated from Eucalyptus s.s. Corymbia species are divided between two clades, one of which may be the sister to Angophora. Allosyncarpia, Arillastrum, Eucalyptopsis and ‘Stockwellia’ are also highly differentiated from Eucalyptus s.s. If the genus Eucalyptus is to be expanded to include Angophora and Corymbia(sensu Brooker 2000), ITS data suggest that Allosyncarpia, Eucalyptopsis, ‘Stockwellia’ and potentially Arillastrum should also be included in Eucalyptus s.l. The ITS data suggest that subg. Symphyomyrtus is paraphyletic and that subg. Minutifructus should be included within it. Within subg.Symphyomyrtus, only sect. Maidenaria appears to be monophyletic. Sections Adnataria and Dumaria are probably monophyletic; sections Exsertaria and Latoangulatae are very close and probably should be combined in a single section. Section Bisectae is polyphyletic and is divided into two distinct lineages. The phylogenetic groups depicted by ITS data are consistent with the frequency of natural inter-specific hybridisations as well as data from controlled crosses within subgenus Symphyomyrtus. The ITS data illustrate that subg. Idiogenes and western Australian monocalypts are early evolutionary lines relative to E. diversifolia, E. rubiginosa (monotypic subg. Primitiva) and the eastern monocalypts and that subg. Primitiva should be sunk into subg. Eucalyptus. Subgenus Eudesmia may be monophyletic, grouping with subgenera Idiogenes and Eucalyptus. Further work is required to confirm the phylogenetic positions of the monotypic subgenera Alveolata, Cruciformes, Acerosae and Cuboidea.


2007 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Kuznetsov ◽  
N. Kuznetsova

AbstractFor the first time, DNA sequence data were obtained for three species of Trichostrongylus from Russia. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS-2) of ribosomal DNA was sequenced for T. axei, T. colubriformis and T. probolurus from sheep from the Moscow region. ITS-2 rDNA length was estimated as 238 nucleotides for T. colubriformis and T. probolurus and 237 nucleotides for T. axei. The G+C content of the ITS-2 sequences of T. colubriformis, T. axei and T. probolurus were 31 %, 32 % and 34 % respectively. The level of interspecific differences in ITS-2 of rDNA of T. axei, T. probolurus and T. colubriformis ranged from 3 to 4 %. The ITS-2 sequences from the Russian specimens were compared with those of T. axei, T. probolurus and T. colubriformis from Australia and Germany. Intraspecific variation ranged from 0 % in T. colubriformis to 3.0 % in T. axei.


2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhen Xu ◽  
Lu-Ping Zhang ◽  
Liang Li

AbstractCucullanus hainanensis sp. nov., collected from Muraenichthys gymnopterus (Bleeker) (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) in the South China Sea, was described using both light and scanning electron microscopy. The new species can be readily distinguished from its congeners by the large pseudobuccal capsule, the position of excretory pore and deirids, the length of spicules (0.64–0.76 mm, 5.84–6.67% of body length) and gubernaculum (0.21–0.24 mm), the number and arrangement of caudal papillae and the particular morphology of cloacal region in male. The new species was also characterized using molecular methods by sequencing and analysing the small subunit (18S) and the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS-2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA). In addition, Cucullanus muraenesocis (Yin et Zhang, 1983) was regarded a homonym of C. muraenesocis Yamaguti, 1961, and a new name, Cucullanus wangi nom. nov. was given to it.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 1428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Ghafar ◽  
Adil Khan ◽  
Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz ◽  
Charles G. Gauci ◽  
Sadaf Niaz ◽  
...  

This study investigated ticks and tick-borne microorganisms of small ruminants from five districts of the Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) of Pakistan. Morphological (n = 104) and molecular (n = 54) characterization of the ticks revealed the presence of six ixodid ticks: Rhipicephalus (Rh.) haemaphysaloides, Rh. microplus, Rh. turanicus, Haemaphysalis (Hs.) punctata, Hs. sulcata and Hyalomma anatolicum. Phylogenetic analyses of nucleotide sequence data for two mitochondrial (16S and cytochrome c oxidase 1) and one nuclear (second internal transcribed spacer) DNA regions provided strong support for the grouping of the six tick species identified in this study. Microfluidic real-time PCR, employing multiple pre-validated nuclear and mitochondrial genetic markers, detected 11 potential pathogens and endosymbionts in 72.2% of the ticks (n = 54) tested. Rickettsia (R.) massiliae was the most common pathogen found (42.6% of ticks) followed by Theileria spp. (33.3%), Anaplasma (A.) ovis and R. slovaca (25.9% each). Anaplasma centrale, A. marginale, Ehrlichia spp., R. aeschlimannii, R. conorii and endosymbionts (Francisella- and Coxiella-like) were detected at much lower rates (1.9–22.2%) in ticks. Ticks from goats (83.9%) carried significantly higher microorganisms than those from sheep (56.5%). This study demonstrates that ticks of small ruminants from the FATA are carrying multiple microorganisms of veterinary and medical health significance and provides the basis for future investigations of ticks and tick-borne diseases of animals and humans in this and neighboring regions.


2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne I. Warwick ◽  
Ihsan A. Al-Shehbaz ◽  
Connie A. Sauder

Sequence data from the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of 45 taxa were used to determine the phylogenetic relationship of Arabis arenicola to Arabis , Arabidopsis , Braya , and Eutrema , and that of Eutrema to the purportedly related genera Aphragmus , Lignariella , Neomartinella , Platycraspedum , Taphrospermum , and Thellungiella . Arabis arenicola was originally described as Eutrema in 1830, transferred to Arabis in 1898, and has remained in Arabis to the present, even though it is morphologically more similar to Arabidopsis, Braya, and Eutrema. Sequence data were obtained from representative taxa of Arabis, Arabidopsis, and related Boechera and Catolobus, Braya and Neotorularia, and Eutrema, Aphragmus, Lignariella, Neomartinella, Platycraspedum, Taphrospermum, and Thellungiella. The five Arabis arenicola accessions examined had ITS sequences that were identical to each other and to four Arabidopsis lyrata accessions. In both maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses, Arabis arenicola fell within the Arabidopsis clade and was closely aligned with Arabidopsis lyrata. Two of six purportedly related genera were not closely related to Eutrema. Both analyses placed Lignariella within a separate well-supported clade with Aphragmus, while the other four genera, Neomartinella, Platycraspedum, Taphrospermum, and Thellungiella, fell within a well-supported clade with Eutrema. Morphology and molecular data strongly suggest transferring Arabis arenicola to Arabidopsis, expanding Aphragmus to include Lignariella, and expanding Eutrema to include Neomartinella, Platycraspedum, Taphrospermum, and Thellungiella. New combinations in Arabidopsis and Aphragmus are proposed.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document