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.

我们开发了一种基于 18S rRNA 基因检测巴贝斯虫的 PCR 检测方法。检查了B. odocoilei 的多个样本，该检测一致地产生了 306 bp 的小特异性 PCR 产物。PCR 检测还受到来自 10 种不同宿主物种的13种其他巴贝虫属物种和 2种泰勒虫属物种的DNA 的挑战；然而，观察到非特异性 DNA 扩增和多条带模式，并且扩增子的条带模式在同一物种的不同分离株之间有所不同。灵敏度确定为 6.4 pg DNA，估计有 0.0001% 的寄生。该测定可用于B. odocoilei 的物种特异性差异检测。