Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing and Informatics as an Effective Tool to Establish the Composition of Bovine Piroplasm Populations in Endemic Regions.

Abdul Ghafar; Anson V Koehler; Ross S Hall; Charles G Gauci; Robin B Gasser; Abdul Jabbar

Journal article

Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing and Informatics as an Effective Tool to Establish the Composition of Bovine Piroplasm Populations in Endemic Regions.

Abdul Ghafar, Anson V Koehler, Ross S Hall, Charles G Gauci, Robin B Gasser, Abdul Jabbar

Microorganisms | MDPI AG | Published : 2021

DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9010021

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Abstract

Protists of the genera Babesia and Theileria (piroplasms) cause some of the most prevalent and debilitating diseases for bovines worldwide. In this study, we established and used a next-generation sequencing-informatic approach to explore the composition of Babesia and Theileria populations in cattle and water buffalo in a country (Pakistan) endemic for these pathogens. We collected individual blood samples from cattle (n = 212) and water buffalo (n = 154), extracted genomic DNAs, PCR-amplified the V4 hypervariable region of 18S small subunit rRNA gene from piroplasms, sequenced amplicons using Illumina technology, and then analysed data using bioinformatic platforms. The results revealed pi..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Anson Koehler Author

Charles Gauci Author

Robin B. Gasser Author

Abdul Jabbar Author

Grants

Funding Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Stephen Wilcox for the technical support. This project was supported by the University of Melbourne as part of A.G.'s PhD research project. A.G. is a grateful recipient of the Research Training Scholarship from the Australian Government through the University of Melbourne.