PCR assays for detection of Toxoplasma gondii infection in Iranian camels (Camelus dromedarius) of Yazd province

Subject Areas : Veterinary Clinical Pathology

alireza  sazmand ¹ (مربی، گروه کشاورزی، دانشگاه پیام نور یزد، یزد، ایران.)
mousa  tavassoli ² (استاد، گروه پاتوبیولوژی، دانشکده دامپزشکی ارومیه، ارومیه، ایران.)
bijan  Esameilnejad ³ (استادیار، گروه پاتوبیولوژی، دانشکده دامپزشکی ارومیه، ارومیه، ایران.)
zahra  Asadollahi ⁴ (دانشجوی دکتری، گروه پاتوبیولوژی، دانشکده دامپزشکی دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران.)
ali  Kazemnia ⁵ (تکنسین آزمایشگاه، گروه پاتوبیولوژی، دانشکده دامپزشکی ارومیه، ارومیه، ایران.)
seyyedhossein  Hekmatimoghaddam ⁶ (استادیار، گروه علوم آزمایشگاهی، دانشکده پیراپزشکی، دانشگاه علوم پزشکی و خدمات بهداشتی درمانی شهید صدوقی یزد، یزد، ایران.)

Received: 2013-12-24 Accepted : 2014-06-24 Published : 2014-05-22

Keywords: Iran, camel, Toxoplasma gondii, polymerase chain reaction,

Abstract :

   The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is one the most important zoonotic pathogens. Therefore, in the current pilot study a total of 50 Iranian one-humped camels of both sexes and different ages that were kept by local farmers in Yazd province of Iran were tested for Toxoplasma gondii infection. Whole blood samples were investigated by PCR assay using B1 gene. The results revealed that none of the tested camels were infected with Toxoplasma gondii. The current pilot study is the first attempt for detection of Toxoplasma gondii in camels in Iran by PCR method. Further studies in different regions of the country seem necessary to outline the importance of the disease. Also, experimental infection of camels with Toxoplasma gondii is recommended to study the course of the disease. 

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