A fluorescence-based polymerase chain reaction-linked single-strand conformation polymorphism (F-PCR-SSCP) assay for the identification of Fasciola spp

Parasitol Res. 2011 Jun;108(6):1513-7. doi: 10.1007/s00436-010-2209-z. Epub 2010 Dec 18.

Abstract

The present study aimed to establish a fluorescence-based polymerase chain reaction-linked single-strand conformation polymorphism (F-PCR-SSCP) assay for the identification of Fasciola spp. Based on the sequences of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS-2) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA, we designed a set of genus-specific primers for the amplification of Fasciola ITS-2, with an estimated size of 140 bp. These primers were labelled by fluorescence dyes, and the PCR products were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions (F-PCR-SSCP). Capillary electrophoresis analysis of the fluorescence-labelled DNA fragments displayed three different peak profiles that allowed the accurate identification of Fasciola species: one single peak specific for either Fasciola hepatica or Fasciola gigantica and a doublet peak corresponding to the "intermediate" Fasciola. Validation of our novel method was performed using Fasciola specimens from different host animals from China, Spain, Nigeria, and Egypt. This F-PCR-SSCP assay provides a rapid, simple, and robust tool for the identification and differentiation between Fasciola spp.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • DNA, Helminth / analysis
  • DNA, Helminth / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer
  • Electrophoresis, Capillary / methods
  • Fasciola / genetics*
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational*

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Helminth
  • DNA, Ribosomal Spacer
  • Fluorescent Dyes