Vol. 10, Special Issue 12 (2021)

Author(s):
Gatchanda Shravan Kumar, Anju Varghese, Prabodh Kumar Hembram, Deepa CK, Ajith Kumar KG, Muhasin Asaf and Reghu Ravindran

Abstract:
A molecular study was conducted to know the prevalence of Babesia gibsoni in stray dogs from Southern zone of Kerala. A total of (n=50) blood samples and smears were collected from Animal Birth Control Centers (ABCs) from Southern Zone of Kerala. Peripheral blood smears revealed B. gibsoni piroplasms in 20 per cent (10/50) of the samples. Primary PCR targeting 18S rRNA gene showed amplification at ~1665 bp in 42 per cent (21/50) of samples whereas by nested PCR using a set of internal primers which targets primary PCR product showed amplification at ~308 bp fragment in 56 per cent (28/50) of samples. This study showed a higher prevalence of B. gibsoni in stray dogs compared to previous studies on the prevalence of B. gibsoni in pet dogs. The nested PCR targeting 18S rRNA was more sensitive in detecting B. gibsoni compared to primary PCR.