EXPERIMENTAL INFECTIONS AND NATURAL OUTBREAKS OF EPERYTHROZOONOSIS INPIGS IDENTIFIED BY PCR-DNA HYBRIDIZATIONS

Eperythrozoon-specific DNA amplification reactions and subsequent hybr idizations with an eperythrozoon DNA probe (KSU-2) were used in experi mental infection studies to identify Eperythrozoon suis DNA in the blo od of splenectomized and nonsplenectomized pigs. The results indicate that E. suis DNA is present in nonsplenectomized pigs at levels that c an be amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and identified in D NA hybridizations within 24 hours after infection. The ability of the E. suis PCR/hybridization assay to detect eperythrozoonosis was furthe r demonstrated in blood samples collected from pigs in 2 separate natu ral outbreaks in Oklahoma. Results from these initial samplings indica te that pigs infected with E. suis from geographically distinct locati ons can be identified using the eperythrozoon-specific PCR/hybridizati on assay, which offers many advantages over conventional laboratory pr ocedures for diagnosing eperythrozoonosis in pigs.