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Molecular detection of Sarcocystis lutrae in the European badger (Meles meles) in Scotland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 June 2017

T. LEPORE ,
P. M. BARTLEY Open the ORCID record for P. M. BARTLEY [Opens in a new window] ,
F. CHIANINI ,
A. I. MACRAE ,
E. A. INNES  and
F. KATZER
T. LEPORE
Affiliation:
Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, Scotland, UK
P. M. BARTLEY
Affiliation:
Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, Scotland, UK
F. CHIANINI
Affiliation:
Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, Scotland, UK
A. I. MACRAE
Affiliation:
Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, Scotland, UK
E. A. INNES
Affiliation:
Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, Scotland, UK
F. KATZER*
Affiliation:
Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, Scotland, UK
*
*Corresponding author: Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ, Scotland, UK. E-mail: [email protected]
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Summary

Neck samples from 54 badgers and 32 tongue samples of the same badgers (Meles meles), collected in the Lothians and Borders regions of Scotland, were tested using polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) directed against the 18S ribosomal DNA and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) region of protozoan parasites of the family Sarcocystidae. Positive results were obtained from 36/54 (67%) neck and 24/32 (75%) tongue samples using an 18S rDNA PCR. A 468 base pair consensus sequence that was generated from the 18S rDNA PCR amplicons (KX229728) showed 100% identity to Sarcocystis lutrae. The ITS1 PCR results revealed that 12/20 (60%) neck and 10/20 (50%) tongue samples were positive for Sarcocystidae DNA. A 1074 bp consensus sequence was generated from the ITS1 PCR amplicons (KX431307) and showed 100% identity to S. lutrae. Multiple sequence alignments and phylogenetic analysis support the finding that the rDNA found in badgers is identical to that of S. lutrae. This parasite has not been previously reported in badgers or in the UK. Sarcocystis lutrae has previously only been detected in tongue, skeletal muscle and diaphragm samples of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in Norway and potentially in the Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus).

Keywords

Sarcocystis lutraerDNAScotlandEuropean badgers (Meles meles)18S PCRITS1 PCRphylogenetic analysis
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 144 , Issue 11 , September 2017 , pp. 1426 - 1432
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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