Associative genetic diversity among Sarcocystis cruzi isolates from Northern India based on 18S ribosomal gene.

Abstract

Sarcocystis cruzi is perhaps the most common Sarcocystis spp. affecting cattle throughout the world. Despite its wide presence across Indian subcontinent, very limited studies are reported from India describing the phylogenetics of the parasite. The present communication describes the phylogenetic characterization of various isolates of S. cruzi. The isolates were characterized at 18S gene locus. An appreciable among of genetic variability was noticed between various S. cruzi isolates. Sequences generated from the present study (MN121572-MN121576) represented two haplotypes with 99.0-100.0% nucleotide homology within themselves. Alongside, nucleotide homology of 98.36-100.0% was observed between Indian isolates and isolates across the globe. The two haplotypes were markedly distinct from each other with 10 nucleotide substitutions within themselves. Moreover, there was a deletion of G nucleotide at position 545 in one of the sequences (MN121575). In general, the Indian isolates were seen closer to isolates from China than to the isolates from Iran, Argentina, Japan, Australia and Netherlands. Results clearly depicted the presence of multiple lineages of S. cruzi in Indian cattle. The findings are very much important in delineating the evolutionary phylogenetics of S. cruzi from India and abroad.