A report on the molecular detection and seasonal Trypanosoma brucei in Dromedary Camels from Dera Ghazi Khan District in Southern Punjab (Pakistan)
- Author:
Hussain, M., Saeed, Z., Gulsher, M., Shaikh, R.S., Ali, M.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2016;33(2):268-275
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The present study was designed for molecular detection of
Trypanosoma brucei
through PCR, by using kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) maxicircle primers, on seasonal basis and to
demonstrate the effect of this parasite on complete blood count and selected parameters of
serum biochemistry in camels from Southern Punjab (Pakistan). A total of 291 camel blood
samples (61 male, 230 females) were collected from Dera Ghazi Khan District in Pakistan
during March 2012 till February 2013 for
Trypanosoma brucei
detection by blood smear
screening, micro hemato centrifugation and Polymerase chain reaction techniques. Twenty
eight out of 291 blood samples (9.62%) produced a 164 bp DNA fragment specific for
T.
brucei
. Only 6 blood samples (2.06%) were found parasite positive by microscopic examination
and 13 (4.46%) were positive for microhematocrit centrifugation technique. Seasonal PCR
based prevalence of trypanosomiasis was 6.9%, 13.7%, 9.7% and 8.1% during spring, summer,
autumn and winter seasons respectively.
T. brucei
prevalence was not restricted to a particular
age group or and gender of the studied animals (P > 0.05). A significant increase in WBC (P =
0.001), neutrophils (P = 0.004), ALT (P = 0.028) and decreased RBC (P < 0.000), hemoglobin
(P < 0.000) and packed cell volume (P < 0.000) were detected in parasite positive as compared
to the parasite negative blood samples. In conclusion, PCR is a more reliable and sensitive
technique than conventional microscopic blood screening and microhematocrit centrifugation
for the detection of
T. brucei
in camel blood. We recommend the use of PCR for the effective
prophylactic detection of
T. brucei
in livestock in order to reduce economic losses.
- Full text:P020160830536247375477.pdf
