Detection and quantitation of Anaplasma marginale in carrier cattle by using a nucleic acid probe.

摘要: Cattle which have recovered from acute infection with Anaplasma marginale, a rickettsial hemoparasite of cattle, frequently remain persistently infected low-level parasitemia and serve as reservoirs for disease transmission. To fully understand the role these carriers in prevalence transmission, it is essential that low levels can be accurately detected quantitated. We developed nucleic acid probe, derived portion gene encoding 105,000-molecular-weight surface protein, detect A. marginale-infected erythrocytes. The probe specific marginale 0.01 ng genomic DNA 500 to 1,000 erythrocytes 0.5 ml blood, equivalent 0.000025%. This makes at least 4,000 times more sensitive than light microscopy. Hybridization treated blood animals proven anaplasmosis showed were highly variable among carriers, ranging greater 0.0025 less Parasitemia individual on different dates also variable. These results imply that, any given time, individuals within group cattle may differ significantly their abilities transmit disease. Images