The epidemiological survey for atovaquone resistant related gene of Babesia gibsoni in Japan

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 78; no. 3; pp. 489 - 491
• Main Authors: IGUCHI, Aiko, SOMA, Takehisa, SUZUKI, Hiroshi, XUAN, Xuenan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 01.03.2016; Japan Science and Technology Agency; The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science
• Subjects: allele-specific real-time PCR; Animals; Antiparasitic Agents - pharmacology; Atovaquone - pharmacology; Babesia; Babesia - drug effects; Babesia - genetics; Babesia gibsoni; Babesiosis - epidemiology; Babesiosis - parasitology; Dog Diseases - epidemiology; Dog Diseases - parasitology; Dogs; drug resistance; Drug Resistance - genetics; Epidemiological Monitoring; Female; Internal Medicine; Japan - epidemiology; M121I variant population; Male; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.15-0480

In 73 gDNA samples from Babesia gibsoni-infected dogs, the M121I variant population was measured by using allele-specific real-time PCR. Although the mechanism of atovaquone against B. gibsoni has not been clearly identified, it is reported that the mitochondria cytochrome b gene of the atovaquone-resistant B. gibsoni had a single-nucleotide substitution at nt363 (G to T), which resulted in the substitution of methionine with isoleucine (M121I). In this study, 3/73 samples showed over 5% M121I variant population. Although the M121I variant population is a low percentage, it runs the risk of spreading drug-resistant parasites. It is important to prevent the spread of drug-resistance, so we need to gather information about this at regular intervals.