Specific DNA probe for the detection of Theileria sergenti infection in cattle

A simple procedure was developed for detection of Theileria sergenti infection on the basis of hybridization of parasite DNA with a specific probe. A genomic DNA library of T. sergenti constructed in pUC-18 was screened to detect clones containing the parasite's DNA sequences by colony and Southern hybridizations. Two positive DNA inserts were purified from the recombinant plasmids and used as probes labelled with 32P or non-isotopic reagent, biotin-11-dUTP. 32P-radiolabelled and non-radioactive probes appear to be sensitive enough to detect 15 pg (equivalent to 1,200 parasites) and 125 pg (equivalent to 10,000 parasites) of purified T. sergenti DNA, and in diluted T. sergenti-infected red blood cells, they are able to detect 8,000 parasites and 16,000 parasites, respectively.