Detection and molecular characterization of ascarid nematode infection (Toxascaris leonina and Toxocara cati) in captive Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica)
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Date
2012
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Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the ascarid infection in Asiatic lions using scat samples, based on microscopic
analysis, PCR amplification of the ITS-2 region of ribosomal DNA and sequence analysis of the amplicons. Microscopic analysis
indicated the presence of eggs of Toxascaris leonina in eleven of the sixteen scat samples analysed and in one of these
eleven scats eggs of Toxocara cati were also detected. In five of the scats eggs were not detectable. The presence of T. leonina
in all the infected samples was also confirmed by PCR amplification of the ITS-2 of ribosomal RNA gene and five of these also
showed amplicons corresponding to T. cati, respectively. Toxocara canis infection was not observed in any of the scat samples.
Nucleotide sequence analysis of the ITS-2 region indicated 97% to 99% similarity with T. leonina and T. cati, respectively. To
our knowledge, this is the first molecular characterization of ascarid infection in captive Asiatic lions from a zoological garden
of India. This study also indicates that Asiatic lions are more prone to infection either with T. leonina or T. cati and the parasite
is not host specific.
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Veterinary Science, Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics