PCR-based Identification of Trypanosoma evansi targeting Internaltranscribed Spacer 1 of rDNA in experimentally infected Mice

Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi) is a causative agent of disease called surra, affecting wide range of domestic and wild animals. In this study, a PCR assay was developed using primers targeting ITS-1 region flaking between 5.8 S and 18 S subunits of rRNA. The test was employed using serially diluted DNA extracted from purified trypanosomes ranging from 200 ng/μl to 0.00002 pg/μl and T. evansi infected mice blood ranging from 350 ng/μl to 0.00035 ng/μl. The diagnostic sensitivity of PCR assay was found to be 0.2 pg/μl and 0.035 ng/μl with purified parasite DNA and infected mice blood DNA, respectively.