Molecular identity and heterogeneity of trichomonad parasites in a closed avian population

Gaspar Da Silva, Daniela, Barton, Emma, Bunbury, Nancy, Lunness, Patricia, Bell, Diana J. and Tyler, Kevin M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0647-8158 (2007) Molecular identity and heterogeneity of trichomonad parasites in a closed avian population. Infection, Genetics and Evolution, 7 (4). pp. 433-440. ISSN 1567-7257

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Abstract

Columbids (pigeons and doves) are the primary host of Trichomonas gallinae, the flagellate protozoon which causes avian trichomoniasis, a widespread, often lethal disease. Although predominantly apathogenic, the organism is paradigmatic for the study of strain-specific virulence, with some strains causing greater than 75% mortality and epizootic die-offs in wildlife populations. In recent years, research on this important emerging pathogen has been neglected and genetic variation within the parasite has not hitherto been investigated. The pink pigeon (Columba mayeri), endemic to Mauritius and one of the world's rarest pigeons, suffers high levels of nestling/fledgling mortality from trichomoniasis. As a closed oceanic island population with recorded life-history parameters for all birds, this species represents a unique resource for the study of this host–parasite interaction. To investigate genetic variation within T. gallinae in Mauritian columbids, isolates were collected from pink pigeons and another widespread species, the Madagascar turtle-dove (Streptopelia picturata). Comparison of the 5.8S region of rDNA and surrounding internally transcribed spacer regions (ITS) showed no sequence variation between isolates or with an unrelated but previously sequenced T. gallinae isolate (Genbank). This confirmed all 24 isolates as T. gallinae, and defined this section of the genome as a good species marker. In contrast, Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of the isolates revealed considerable genotypic variation between isolates. RAPD genotypes appeared to correlate with geographic distribution and host species, suggesting inter-species transmission and rapid host adaptation by the parasite.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	trichomonas gallinae,endangered species,molecular epidemiology,molecular evolution,pink pigeon
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Biological Sciences Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Gastroenterology and Gut Biology Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Organisms and the Environment Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Metabolic Health Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Pathogen Biology Group
Depositing User:	EPrints Services
Date Deposited:	01 Oct 2010 13:38
Last Modified:	24 Sep 2024 09:37
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/1364
DOI:	10.1016/j.meegid.2007.01.002

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