Molecular Characterization of Babesia bovis msa-2c Gene

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to determine the molecular characterization of msa-2c gene of one Babesia bovis isolate from cattle in the Aegean Region and to compare identities with similar isolates from the World and Turkey. METHODS: Between 2008-2010 blood samples were collected from a total of 235 cattle localized in 9 provinces of the Marmara and Aegean Regions. Smears were prepared, genomic DNA's were extracted from the blood samples and investigated for Babesia species by RLB. PCR was performed on one sample determined as B. bovis, the obtained amplicon was purified, sequenced and deposited to GenBank. Identities with similar isolates from Turkey and the World were investigated. RESULTS: Bovine babesiosis was not determined in the microscopic examination. According to the RLB results there was no B. bovis positivity in cattle from the Marmara Region, while only one B. bovis positivity was detected in cattle from the Aegean Region. The molecular prevalence of B. bovis was determined as 0.42% in the total of the examined 235 cattle. The sequenced B. bovis isolate shared 91-92% and 89-96% identities with the isolates from Turkey and the World, respectively. CONCLUSION: Molecular characterization of msa-2c gene region of B. bovis detected from cattle in the Aegean Region was carried out in this study.