In this study, PCR assays targeting different Leishmania heat-shock protein 70 gene (hsp70) regions, producing fragments ranging in size from 230-390 bp were developed and evaluated to determine their potential as a tool for the specific molecular diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). A total of 70 Leishmania strains were analysed, including seven reference strains (RS) and 63 previously t...

The Cryptosporidium ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2 rDNA regions from a number of Cryptosporidium isolates from different hosts and geographical areas were cloned and sequenced in order to investigate the extent of sequence heterogeneity between human and cattle-derived isolates from different geographical locations and also between isolates of Cryptosporidium from different hosts such as cats, pigs, mice ...

Lymphatic filariasis has been targeted by the World Health Organization for elimination by the year 2020. Malayan filariasis, caused by Brugia malayi, is endemic in southern Thailand where domestic cats serve as a major reservoir host. However, in nature, domestic cats also carry B. pahangi infection. In addition to chemotherapy and vector control, control in reservoir hosts is necessary to ach...

Polymerase chain reaction-linked restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of ribosomal (r) DNA was conducted on Uncinaria stenocephala, Ancylostoma caninum, A. tubaeforme and A. ceylanicum. The rDNA region spanning the first and second internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) plus the 5.8S (ITS+) gene was amplified by PCR from each of the species, digested separately wit...

Snails of the genus Biomphalaria from Venezuela were subjected to morphological assessment as well as polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Morphological identification was carried out by comparison of characters of the shell and the male and female reproductive apparatus. The PCR-RFLP involved amplification of the internal spacer region ITS...

Hoplolaimus columbus is an important nematode pest which causes economic loss of crops including corn, cotton, and soybean in the Southeastern United States. DNA sequences of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of ribosomal DNA from H. columbus were aligned and analyzed to characterize intraspecific genetic variation between eleven populations collected from Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South ...