Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/31818

OpenURL Link
Title
Detection of ehrlichia platys in dogs in Australia
Author/Creator
Brown, G. K.;  Martin, A.;  Roberts, T. K.;  Aitken, R. J.
Description
OBJECTIVE: To describe the detection of Ehrlichia platys in free-roaming dogs in Central Australia. PROCEDURE: Blood samples were collected from four dogs and examined for bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based assays. The three positive samples obtained were then sequenced and identification of the PCR product carried out. As a result of all three samples being identical to or closely related to part of the 16S rRNA gene of E. platys, blood samples were subsequently obtained from a further 24 dogs. These samples were screened using a PCR-assay to determine the presence of Ehrlichia DNA using genus-specific primers. The positive samples obtained from the screening process were then subjected to a further PCR-assay using E. platys specific primers. RESULTS: Of 28 dogs sampled, Ehrlichia DNA was detected in the blood of 13 dogs. Sequencing of the amplicons obtained indicated a high homology with the 16S rRNA gene for E. platys. When the E. platys-specific PCR was performed for 10 of those dogs, the 678 bp product obtained from the PCR amplification confirmed the identification as part of the 16S rRNA gene of E. platys in all 10 dogs. CONCLUSION: This study reports for the first time Ehrlichia carriage by dogs in Australia. It also indicates the usefulness of the PCR technique in rapidly and accurately identifying diseases that are otherwise difficult to detect. By using universal primers directed against bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA and sequencing analysis, the detection of potentially pathogenic Ehrlichia organisms that had not previously been found in Australia has been made possible.
Relation
Australian Veterinary Journal Vol. 79, Issue 8, p. 554-558
Relation
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/120741835/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
Date
2001
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Keyword(s)
ehrlichia platys;  free-roaming dogs;  polymerase chain reaction;  16S rDNA
Resource Type
journal article
Identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/31818
Identifier
ISSN:0005-0423
Reviewed
Reviewed
51 Visitors 58 Hits 0 Downloads
Save/E-mail Citation
Citation Format
E-mail Address
Subject
"Australian Veterinary Journal"
 
OR