파라핀 블록 PCR을 이용한 소 네오스포라 감염증의 진단법 확립

Establishment of diagnositc method for bovine neosporosis by PCR using paraffin block

Neospora caninum infections have been associated with neonatal paresis as well as abortion around the world. Bovine abortion induced by N caninum was first reported in 1997 in Korea. Diagnosis of N caninum infection is usually based on histopathology and immunohistochemical detection of organism. However, often the tissues having lesion suggestive of N caninum infection were negative on immunohistochemistry. Here, we describe establishment of PCR-based diagnostic strategy for N caninum infection using DNA extracted from paraffin blocks containing the lesion. PCR was able to amplify N caninum-specific bands from the paraffin blocks containing at least moderate degree of inflammation. Compared to paraffin-blocks, DNA extracted from fresh tissues were less sensitive than that of paraffin blocks. This PCR-based method can be practically applicable for rapid diagnosis of bovine N caninum infection with high specificity and sensitivity. Based on this method, 17% of bovine abortion surveyed during a designated period was associated with N caninum infection.