A probe-based real-time PCR assay for the detection of Neospora caninum in clinical samples from cattle

  • Rhiannon Barry
  • , Ruth H. Nissly
  • , Willard Feria
  • , Nagaraja Thirumalapura
  • , Deepanker Tewari
  • , Bhushan M. Jayarao
  • , Suresh V. Kuchipudi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan protozoan parasite that is a leading cause of abortion in cattle. Detection of parasite-specific DNA by PCR is a highly sensitive method for identifying the presence of N. caninum in a variety of tissues. We developed and validated a probe-based real-time PCR assay targeting the conserved Nc5 gene of N. caninum. Using N. caninum strain Nc-1 genomic DNA and a synthetic gene fragment as amplification standards, we determined the PCR amplification efficiency and the limit of detection to be 95.60% and 3 copies, respectively. Five pathogens frequently associated with bovine abortions, namely bovine viral diarrhea virus types I and II, bovine alphaherpesvirus-1, Chlamydia, and Leptospira, were tested to ensure analytical exclusivity. A total of 103 clinical samples from aborted fetuses were tested concurrently with a standard conventional PCR and the new probe-based real-time PCR assay. All tested samples showed 100% agreement between these two assays. In conclusion, the probe-based real-time PCR assay facilitates accurate and rapid detection of N. caninum from abortions in cattle.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2-6
Number of pages5
JournalVeterinary Parasitology
Volume269
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2019

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Parasitology
  • General Veterinary

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