engleski

Development of a PCR assay to identify Baylisascaris transfuga in bear faecal samples.

The intestinal nematode genus Baylisascaris infects a variety of mammals and can pose a zoonotic risk. The species that infects raccoons, B. Procyonis, is a serious health concern as it is responsible for ocular, visceral and neural larva migrans in more than 100 species, including humans. The species from bears, B. transfuga, has a wide geographical and host range. This parasite is traditionally identified via morphological evaluation of adult nematodes, eggs and larvae. The development of a highly specific molecular assay to rapidly identify B. transfuga would be helpful in monitoring the prevalence of the parasite in the field. In this study, a PCR-based assay for detection and identification of B. transfuga eggs in bear faeces was developed. Ninety six faecal samples were collected from wild brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Croatia and first analyzed by sedimentation/flotation. Using these methods, Giardia, Eimeria, Cryptosporidium, ciliates, Syngamus, strongyle eggs and larvae and B. transfuga eggs were identified. An efficient method for DNA extraction from B. transfuga eggs was developed and the PCR optimized using DNA extracted from B. transfuga adults. The PCR detected a 301-bp Baylisascaris specific product from both adult B. transfuga and faecal samples spiked with B. transfuga eggs. It is anticipated that this molecular tool could be used to monitor the prevalence of the parasite in wild bear populations and may be used to indicate the actual zoonotic risk for human operators who get in contact with brown bears and bear faeces

Baylisascaris transfuga, Bear, Ursus arctos, Ascarids.

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