Title |
Multiplexed-tandem PCR (MT-PCR) assay to detect and differentiate gastrointestinal nematodes of alpacas
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Published in |
Parasites & Vectors, June 2018
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DOI | 10.1186/s13071-018-2963-9 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Mohammed H. Rashid, Hagos Gebrekidan, Abdul Jabbar |
Abstract |
Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) frequently infect South American camelids (alpacas and llamas) and cause economic losses due to reduced production of fiber, meat and/or leather. Our knowledge about the epidemiology and diagnosis of GINs in llamas and alpacas is limited, and reliable keys for the identification of the third-stage larvae (L3s) of some common nematodes (such as Camelostrogylus mentulatus) that infect alpacas and llamas remain undescribed. In this study, we modified two existing semi-quantitative multiplexed-tandem (MT)-PCR assays, originally developed for the GINs of sheep and cattle, to reliably detect and differentiate the common genera/species of GINs in the faeces of alpacas. Following the establishment of the MT-PCR assay using positive and negative control samples, alpaca faecal samples were tested to validate the assay to detect and differentiate nematode genera/species, including C. mentulatus, Cooperia spp., Haemonchus spp., Oesophagostomum spp., Ostertagia ostertagi, Teladorsagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus spp. Sequencing of the MT-PCR products demonstrated specific (100%) amplification of the target nematode genera/species. Additionally, a comparison of results of the MT-PCR assay and the morphological identification of adult worms collected from the same 35 alpacas revealed that there was a good agreement (37-94%) between the two methods. However, some discrepancies were observed between the results of the MT-PCR assay and the morphological identification of adult worms. The MT-PCR platform is an accurate, sensitive and rapid method for the diagnosis of GINs in alpacas, and it can be used as a substitute to larval culture to identify common nematodes in the faeces of alpacas and llamas. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 23 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
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Student > Bachelor | 5 | 22% |
Student > Master | 3 | 13% |
Researcher | 2 | 9% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 2 | 9% |
Lecturer | 1 | 4% |
Other | 2 | 9% |
Unknown | 8 | 35% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Veterinary Science and Veterinary Medicine | 8 | 35% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 2 | 9% |
Unspecified | 1 | 4% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 1 | 4% |
Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science | 1 | 4% |
Other | 0 | 0% |
Unknown | 10 | 43% |