Journal article
PCR detection of Angiostrongylus vasorum in faecal samples of dogs and foxes
Department of Agriculture and Ecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark. nafi@life.ku.dk1
The cardiovascular nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum is spreading in the fox and dog populations of northern Europe. A. vasorum can result in severe clinical manifestations in dogs; therefore, specific diagnosis is crucial for assessing its prevalence. In the present study, faecal samples from foxes and domestic dogs were tested by a new polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the second internal transcribed region of the ribosomal DNA (ITS2) of A. vasorum.
Initial isolation of faecal larvae by sieving facilitated the processing of larger sample volumes and allowed for the recovery of dead larvae from frozen samples. The sieve-PCR method enabled the identification of a single larva per 2 g of faecal sample and did not amplify DNA of a range of canine helminths, thus presenting a non-invasive tool for wildlife surveillance and for confirmative diagnosis in dogs.
Language: | English |
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Publisher: | Springer-Verlag |
Year: | 2010 |
Pages: | 135-140 |
Journal subtitle: | Founded As Zeitschrift Für Parasitenkunde |
ISSN: | 14321955 and 09320113 |
Types: | Journal article |
DOI: | 10.1007/s00436-010-1847-5 |
ORCIDs: | Willesen, Jakob L and Kapel, Christian M O |
Angiostrongylus Animals Baermann Technique Biomedicine DNA Primers DNA, Helminth DNA, Ribosomal Spacer Dog Diseases Dogs Echinococcus Multilocularis Europe Faecal Sample Feces Foxes Immunology Labrador Retriever Medical Microbiology Microbiology Parasitology Polymerase Chain Reaction Polymerase Chain Reaction Cycling Condition Sensitivity and Specificity Strongylida Infections