Molecular confirmation of the first autochthonous case of human babesiosis in Australia using a novel primer set for the beta-tubulin gene

Andrea Paparini; Sanjaya N Senanayake; Una M Ryan; Peter J Irwin

doi:10.1016/j.exppara.2014.03.004

Molecular confirmation of the first autochthonous case of human babesiosis in Australia using a novel primer set for the beta-tubulin gene

Exp Parasitol. 2014 Jun:141:93-7. doi: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.03.004. Epub 2014 Mar 24.

Authors

Andrea Paparini¹, Sanjaya N Senanayake², Una M Ryan³, Peter J Irwin⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia. Electronic address: a.paparini@murdoch.edu.au.
² ANU Medical School, The Australian National University, Linnaeus Way, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia; Canberra Hospital Campus, The Canberra Hospital, Hospital Road, Garran, ACT 2606, Australia. Electronic address: sanjaya.senanayake@act.gov.au.
³ School of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia. Electronic address: Una.Ryan@murdoch.edu.au.
⁴ School of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Vector- and Water-Borne Pathogen Research Group, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia. Electronic address: P.Irwin@murdoch.edu.au.

PMID: 24675416
DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.03.004

Abstract

In 2012, the first autochthonous Australian case of human babesiosis was reported, after microscopic examinations of blood samples revealed intra-erythrocytic parasites in a hospitalized 56year-old man from NSW, who died in 2011 (Senanayake et al., 2012). Independent molecular analyses carried out in Australia and the USA, identified Babesia microti at the 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA), and the beta-tubulin (β-tubulin) gene loci. Here we present the details of a novel PCR-based assay for the β-tubulin gene that was developed, during the original study, to corroborate the results obtained from the analysis of the 18S rDNA. The complete phylogenetic reconstruction, based on the two loci sequenced from the Australian clinical isolate, is also shown here for the first time.

Keywords: 18S; Australia; Babesia microti; Babesiosis; Beta-tubulin; Molecular phylogeny.

MeSH terms

Animals
Australia
Babesia microti / classification
Babesia microti / genetics*
Babesia microti / isolation & purification
Babesiosis / diagnosis*
Babesiosis / parasitology
Base Sequence
DNA Primers / chemistry*
DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
DNA, Protozoan / isolation & purification
DNA, Ribosomal / chemistry
Dogs
Erythrocytes / parasitology
Humans
Male
Mice
Middle Aged
Molecular Sequence Data
Phylogeny
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Potoroidae
RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics
Sensitivity and Specificity
Tubulin / genetics*
Tubulin / metabolism

Substances

DNA Primers
DNA, Protozoan
DNA, Ribosomal
RNA, Ribosomal, 18S
Tubulin

Associated data

GENBANK/JX417370
GENBANK/JX417371