Sequence Analysis of SAG2 of Feline Toxoplasma gondii Oocysts in Pakistan
Sequence Analysis of SAG2 of Feline Toxoplasma gondii Oocysts in Pakistan
Habibun Nabi1, Saher Islam2, Amna Arshad Bajwa2, Imran Rashid1,*, Haroon Akbar1, Wasim Shehzad2, Kamran Ashraf1, Nisar Ahmad1 and Aneela Durrani3
ABSTRACT
Toxoplasmosis is caused by coccidian parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. One third of human population of the world is believed to be infected with T. gondii. Cats serve as final host of Toxoplasma gondii and are the main source of contamination of soil and water. Fecal samples from cats at Pet center of UVAS (Lahore, Pakistan) were screened for coccidian parasites through microscopy examination. DNA was extracted from positive fecal samples for coccidian parasites and a T. gondii PCR was performed. Five sets of primers were designed using PrimerSelect tool for PCR to amplify SAG2 gene 5’ and 3’ regions. Sequences of 5 fragments of SAG2 were annotated and analyzed using DNASTAR Lasergene. After phylogenetic analysis with 3 clonal types and atypical strains, and on the basis of restriction map of HhaI and Sau3AI, our 3 isolates of T. gondii were found more closely linked to a typical strain. This is the first genetic analysis of T. gondii in Pakistan. In order to develop our knowledge about the toxoplasmosis epidemiology, further genotype analyses of T. gondii from animals and man need to be performed in Pakistan.
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December 2017
Vol. 49, Iss. 6, Pages 1937-2341
