Molecular epidemiological survey of the Babesia gibsoni cytochrome b gene in western Japan

J Vet Med Sci. 2012 Oct;74(10):1341-4. doi: 10.1292/jvms.12-0140. Epub 2012 May 25.

Abstract

In this study, we conducted a survey of the cytochrome b (cytb) gene of Babesia gibsoni (B. gibsoni) isolated from clinical cases to determine the prevalence of potential atovaquone (ATV)-resistant variants. Ninety-two blood samples were collected from naturally B. gibsoni infected dogs. The cytb nucleotide sequence was determined by direct sequencing. Twelve non-synonymous amino acid substitutions were identified in cytb. The principal ATV-resistant substitution, M121I, was detected in three cases. This survey determined that potentially ATV-resistant B. gibsoni strains are present in dogs in Japan.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Atovaquone / therapeutic use
  • Babesia / enzymology
  • Babesia / genetics
  • Babesia / isolation & purification*
  • Babesiosis / drug therapy
  • Babesiosis / epidemiology
  • Babesiosis / parasitology
  • Babesiosis / veterinary*
  • Cytochromes b / genetics*
  • DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • Dog Diseases / drug therapy
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Dog Diseases / parasitology*
  • Dogs
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Point Mutation
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / chemistry
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S
  • Cytochromes b
  • Atovaquone