Cmo. Kapel et al., Evaluation of two PCR-based techniques for molecular epidemiology in Finland, a high-endemic area with four sympatric Trichinella species, PARASITE, 8(2), 2001, pp. S39-S43
Citations number
18
Categorie Soggetti
Biology
Journal title
PARASITE-JOURNAL DE LA SOCIETE FRANCAISE DE PARASITOLOGIE
Trichinella larvae collected from wildlife, domestic and synanthropic anima
ls in Finland were identified to species by two molecular techniques: Rando
m amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the
recently described multiplex PCR. The RAPD-PCR was very sensitive to the su
b-optimal preservation muscle larvae and resulting in weak and smeared band
s on the gels for such material. However, the same samples yielded easily r
ecognizable bands in the multiplex PCR; this latter technique is then recom
mended for epidemiological studies, especially when the preservation of the
samples is sub-optimal. For larvae in good condition the unequivocal bands
obtained by multiplex was the easiest identifiable. Four species of Trichi
nella were identified in the material: T spiralis, T, nativa, T britovi, an
d T. pseudospiralis. Trichinella britovi is a new record for Finland, and T
. pseudospiralis is a new record for Northern Europe. Mixed infections betw
een T. britovi and T. spiralis, T, nativa and T. spiralis, and between T. b
ritovi and T. nativa were detected, this is the first record of a mixed inf
ection between T. spiralis and T. nativa in a naturally infected host. Racc
oon dogs were the only host species from which all of the four Trichinella
species were detected. Trichinella spiralis was found in both domestic anim
als and wildlife, but none of the sylvatic Trichinella species were detecte
d in domestic pig.