Abstract:
AIMS: To identify oocysts found in faecal material of a greyhound.
METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA
sequencing were used to study genomic DNA isolated from
oocysts purified from faeces of a greyhound.
RESULTS: Database searches with the DNA sequences obtained
showed they were derived from Hammondia heydorni.
species-specific PCR was developed to detect H heydorni
DNA.
CONCLUSIONS: Light microscopy in conjunction with PCR
and DNA sequencing definitively identified the presence of
H. heydorni oocysts in faeces of a greyhound.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study confirms the presence of
H heydorni in New Zealand and indicates the need to correctly
identify similar oocysts from dogs, rather than assume they are
Neospora caninum.
