Hofmann-Lehmann
Fakultäten » Vetsuisse-Fakultät » Nutztiere, Departement für » Veterinärmedizinisches Labor » Prof. Dr. Regina Hofmann-Lehmann » Hofmann-Lehmann
Completed research project
| Title / Titel | Development and application of a TaqMan real-time qPCR assay for detection and quantification of ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemolamae’ in South American camelids | ||||
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| Abstract (PDF, 14 KB) | |||||
| Summary / Zusammenfassung | Hemotropic mycoplasmas (also known as hemoplasmas) are widespread among various mammalian species, in which they can cause infectious anemia. Species-specific diagnostic molecular methods have been developed to identify hemoplasma-infected animals. The goals of this study were 1) to investigate two alpacas in Switzerland with suspected hemoplasma infection and 24 clinically healthy herdmates and 2) to develop a TaqMan real-time qPCR assay to specifically detect and quantify hemoplasma infection in South American camelids for future epidemiological and experimental studies. In 11 alpacas, ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemolamae’ infection was confirmed using molecular methods. The newly developed real-time TaqMan® PCR assay based on the 16S rRNA gene amplified ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemolamae’ DNA but not DNA from other hemoplasmas or non-hemotropic mycoplasma species. The lower detection limit of the assay was one copy/PCR. The assay described herein is an essential tool to detect and quantify ‘Candidatus M. haemolamae’ and thus permit investigation of the prevalence, pathogenesis and treatment follow-up of hemoplasma infections in South American camelids. | ||||
| Keywords / Suchbegriffe | alpaca, llama, hemotropic mycoplasmas, ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemolamae’, 16S rRNA gene, real-time TaqMan® PCR, molecular diagnostics | ||||
| Project leadership and contacts / Projektleitung und Kontakte |
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| Funding source(s) / Unterstützt durch |
No project-specific funding |
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| In collaboration with / In Zusammenarbeit mit |
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| Duration of Project / Projektdauer | Jan 2009 to Dec 2010 |