Detection and identification of eight Trichinella genotypes by reverse line blot hybridization

A reverse line blot (RLB) assay was developed to identify different Trichin ella genotypes, The RLB assay accomplishes detection and specific identific ation of the different Trichinella genotypes and relies on hybridization of the amplified 5S ribosomal DNA intergenic spacer regions to specific, memb rane-bound oligonucleotide probes. After one single amplification, we were able to detect and genetically identify six sibling species, i.e., T. spira lis, T. britovi, T. nativa, T. murrelli, T. nelsoni, and T. pseudospiralis, and two additional Trichinella genotypes, T6 and T8. Twenty-four Trichinel la strains of different genotypes were unequivocally identified evaluated u sing one simple PCR-based assay based on single larvae. This assay allows t he specific identification of Trichinella species without the need to passa ge larvae in laboratory animals.