Genetic analysis of Toxocara spp. in stray cats and dogs in Van province, Eastern Turkey

Abstract

IntroductionToxocara canis and Toxocara cati are roundworms of dogs and cats. The purpose of this study was to investigate the infection caused by these ascarids in cats and dogs, using microscopic and molecular analysis methods.Material and MethodsAdult ascarids were gathered from the faeces of dogs and cats in Van province, in 2015–2016. Existing keys and PCR sequencing of the ITS-2 fragment were used to identify the morphological features of the parasite species.ResultsIt was observed that out of 20 adult ascarids, 17 and 3 were found to be Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, respectively. The ITS-2 gene region was amplified by PCR to perform molecular analysis. Genotyping indicated that the dogs and cats were infected with T. canis and T. cati, respectively, and none had Toxascaris leonina.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the molecular characteristics of adult ascaridoid nematodes from cats and dogs in Turkey. The molecular approaches established in this study enable molecular identification and genetic structure studies of the ascaridoids.

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Toxocara cati Infection in Feral Cats in Alexandria City, Northern Egypt

“…Morphological examination of specimens in the present work was in agreement with description of T. cati ( 15 , 22 , 23 ). In the past, for identification of a Toxocara species, the ordinary method of is determination of morphological characters.…”

“…might be confusing and mistaken ( 1 , 13 , 14 ). Felines are infected by T. cati, T. malyesensis, Toxoascaris leonine, and occasionally T. canis ( 13 , 15 ), so the identification of Ascaridid nematodes infecting cats become more complicated and requires more precise tools. Molecular based methods in identification, discrimination of Toxocara spp .…”

Common bile duct obstruction caused by a helminth in a cat in the UK: ultrasonographic findings, histopathology and outcome

“…Additionally, PCR has also been used in some studies as a sensitive technique for the diagnosis of parasitosis in cats. 20,21 T cati PCR was negative in this case, leaving the question of the identity of the helminth unanswered. However, the size of the eggs present in our specimen was similar to the size of the eggs of T cati (62.3-72.7 µm).…”

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of Toxocara species in dogs, cattle and buffalo in Egypt

“…With difficulty in proving this on the human level, the present study directed toward determine molecular and phylogenetic compatibility between them. The recent studies in Turkey by Oguz and Oguz et al (2018) demonstrate the value of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) gene of T. vitulorum from cattle calves and ITS-2 fragment of T. canis from dogs were used to identify the morphological gene in identification, respectively. In this respect, DNA-based approaches have been applied to identify the nematode species, mainly using ITS fragments (rDNA) Li et al (2006) and Fogt-Wyrwas et al (2013).…”

“…Furthermore, studies by Mikaeili et al (2015) in Iran and Oguz (2018) in Turkey demonstrate the value of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) gene in the identification of T. vitulorum from cattle calves. Regarding Oguz et al (2018), existing keys and PCR sequencing of the ITS-2 fragment were used to identify the phylogenetic tree of T. canis from stray dogs in Turkey. With significant variations in pathogenicity and destitution of T. vitulorum infection between cattle and buffalo calves in Egypt, no previous studies in this respect concerning the genomic difference between T. vitulorum extracted from two different hosts; cattle and buffalo as well as its computability or differences with that extracted from dogs.…”