Primers targeting mitochondrial genes of avian haemosporidians: PCR detection and differential DNA amplification of parasites belonging to different genera.

ABSTRACT: Haemosporida is a diverse group of vector-borne parasitic protozoa, ubiquitous in terrestrial vertebrates worldwide. The renewed interest in their diversity has been driven by the extensive use of molecular methods targeting mitochondrial genes. Unfortunately, most studies target a 478 bp fragment of the cytochrome b (cytb) gene, which often cannot be used to separate lineages from different genera found in mixed infections that are common in wildlife. In this investigation, an alignment constructed with 114 mitochondrial genome sequences belonging to four genera (Leucocytozoon, Haemoproteus, Plasmodium and Hepatocystis) was used to design two different sets of primers targeting the cytb gene as well as the other two mitochondrial DNA genes: cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and cytochrome c

SUBMITTER: Pacheco MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6004333 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature