PCR–RFLP for the detection and differentiation of the canine piroplasm species and its use with filter paper-based technologies

Canine piroplasmosis is an emerging disease worldwide, with multiple species of piroplasm now recognised to infect dogs. A nested polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) assay was developed for the detection and differentiation of each of the piroplasm species currently known to infect dogs on the basis of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. The assay can potentially amplify and discriminate between Theileria annae, Theileria equi, Babesia conradae, Babesia gibsoni, Babesia sp. (Coco) and each of the Babesia canis subspecies. Non-canine piroplasm species can also potentially be detected using the described assay, however amplification of Neospora caninum was also observed. The PCR was found to have a high detection limit, capable of detecting a 2.7 × 10−7% parasitaemia or the equivalent of 1.2 molecules of target DNA when using DNA extracted from whole EDTA blood and detected a parasitaemia of 2.7 × 10−5% using blood applied to both Flinders Technology Associates (FTA®) cards and IsoCode™ Stix. The application of blood samples to filter paper may greatly assist in piroplasm identification in regions of the world where local technologies for molecular characterisation are limited. The assay reported here has the potential to be standardised for routine screening of dogs for piroplasmosis.