A novel quantitative real-time PCR diagnostic assay for fecal and nasal swab detection of an otariid lungworm, Parafilaroides decorus. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Williams, Kalani M.; Fessler, M.K.; Bloomfield, R.A.; Sandke, William D.; Malekshahi, Clara R.; Keroack, Caroline D.; Duignan, Pádraig J.; Torquato, Samantha D.; Williams, Steven A.
• Is Part Of: International journal for parasitology. Volume 12(2020)
• Page Start: 85
• Page End: 92
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Pinniped -- Marine mammals -- Nematodes -- Lungworm -- Parafilaroides decorus -- Quantitative PCR -- Molecular diagnostics; Parasites -- Periodicals; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Animals -- Periodicals; Wildlife diseases -- Periodicals; Parasites -- Periodicals; Animals, Wild -- Periodicals; Animals; Parasites; Parasitology; Wildlife diseases; Periodicals; 591.7857
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.04.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-2244

Abstract

Abstract: Parafilaroides decorus, also known as sea lion lungworm, is a metastrongyloid nematode that infects otariid hosts, such as the charismatic California sea lion, Zalophus californianus. P. decorus causes bronchointerstitial pneumonia, respiratory distress, reduced ability to swim, dive and hunt and as a result, increased mortality particularly in young animals. Respiratory disease is a leading cause of stranding and admission to rehabilitation centers on the Pacific coast. Low-coverage genomic sequencing of four P. decorus individuals analyzed through Galaxy's RepeatExplorer identified a novel repeat DNA family we employed to design a sensitive quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for diagnosing infections from fecal or sputum samples. The assay detects as little as 10 fg of P. decorus DNA and a linear regression model developed using a standard curve can be used to estimate the concentration of P. decorus DNA in a sample, ± 0.015 ng. This knowledge can be leveraged to estimate the level of parasite burden, which can be used to design improved treatments for animals in rehabilitation. Improved treatment of infections will aid in more animals being successfully released back into the wild. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Developed qPCR assay for P. decorus . Sensitive to 10 fg. Applicable for feces or sputum.