Screening for Hepatozoon parasites in gerbils and potential predators in South Africa

J S Afr Vet Assoc. 2017 Feb 8;88(0):e1-e4. doi: 10.4102/jsava.v88i0.1339.

Abstract

Samples of gerbils and their potential predators were screened for the presence of Hepatozoon parasites (Apicomplexa: Adeleorina) using both microscopic examination and sequencing of partial 18S rRNA sequences. Positive samples were compared to published sequences in a phylogenetic framework. The results indicate that genets can be infected with Hepatozoon felis. A Cape fox was infected with Hepatozoon canis, whereas the sequence from an infected rodent fell within a group of parasites primarily recovered from other rodents and snakes.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carnivora*
  • Coccidiosis / parasitology
  • Coccidiosis / veterinary*
  • Eucoccidiida / genetics
  • Eucoccidiida / isolation & purification*
  • Gerbillinae*
  • Liver / parasitology
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • RNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / veterinary

Substances

  • RNA, Protozoan
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S