Molecular typing of Polish strains of Babesia canis protozoa isolated from dogs in the years 2013-2016

Abstract

The aim of the study was the molecular analysis of B. canis strains isolated from dogs from Poland based on 18S RNA and Bc28 genes. The study involved 140 protozoan strains derived from clinical disease cases. All DNA samples of parasites were analyzed in two ways (amplification and restriction digestion) which made it possible to demonstrate the polymorphism of the Bc28 gene, and to show 18S RNA gene polymorphism (amplification and restriction digestion). Amplification of the Bc28 gene fragment and digestion of the resulting PCR products allowed for the classification of 104 isolates of B. canis to the Bc28-A group, and 36 strains of protozoa to the Bc28-B group. Amplification of the Bc28 gene fragment and digestion of the resulting PCR products allowed for the classification of 33 isolates to 18S RNA-A group, while to 18S RNA-B – 107 parasite isolates. Comparison of both groups of protozoa among themselves allowed partial but not complete correlation of polymorphisms in Bc28 and 18S RNA genes..