Dataset Information
Distinguishing body lice from head lice by multiplex real-time PCR analysis of the Phum_PHUM540560 gene.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Body louse or head louse? Once removed from their environment, body and head lice are indistinguishable. Neither the morphological criteria used since the mid-18th century nor the various genetic studies conducted since the advent of molecular biology tools have allowed body lice and head lice to be differentiated. In this work, using a portion of the Phum_PHUM540560 gene from the body louse, we aimed to develop a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to differentiate between body and head lice in a single reaction.Materials and methods
A total of 142 human lice were collected from mono-infested hosts from 13 countries on five continents. We first identified the louse clade using a cytochrome b (CYTB) PCR sequence alignment. We then aligned a fragment of the Phum_PHUM540560 gene amplified from head and body lice to design-specific TaqMan(©) FAM- and VIC-labeled probes.Results
All the analyzed lice were Clade A lice. A total of 22 polymorphisms between the body and head lice were characterized. The multiplex real-time PCR analysis enabled the body and head lice to be distinguished in two hours. This method is simple, with 100% specificity and sensitivity.Conclusions
We confirmed that the Phum_PHUM540560 gene is a useful genetic marker for the study of lice.
SUBMITTER: Drali R
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3585238 | biostudies-literature | 2013
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Distinguishing body lice from head lice by multiplex real-time PCR analysis of the Phum_PHUM540560 gene.
PloS one 20130228 2
<h4>Background</h4>Body louse or head louse? Once removed from their environment, body and head lice are indistinguishable. Neither the morphological criteria used since the mid-18th century nor the various genetic studies conducted since the advent of molecular biology tools have allowed body lice and head lice to be differentiated. In this work, using a portion of the Phum_PHUM540560 gene from the body louse, we aimed to develop a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to di ...[more]
