Koushlesh Ranjan1*, Prasad Minakshi2, Gaya Prasad3

1Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India, 250110; 2Department of Animal Biotechnology, LLR University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, Haryana, India, 125004; 3Indian Council of Agriculture Research, New Delhi, India.

*Correspondence | Koushlesh Ranjan, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India; Email: drkoushleshranjan@gmail.com

Abstract
The authors present an update of the molecular and serological techniques used in veterinary parasitology. The application of molecular and serological techniques in veterinary parasitology is increasing worldwide. Several new molecular techniques have been made available for sensitive and specific diagnosis of parasitic diseases. These tests may be either nucleic acid or protein based assays. In nucleic acid based assays, PCR and its variants such as nested PCR, multiplex PCR are the most frequently used tools. The parasitic nucleic acid target sequences are DNA and ribosomal RNA. The DNA sequences provide high specificity for the identification of parasite in biological samples. Real-Time PCR is also increasingly in use since its cost is decreasing. Some other tests such as RAPD, AFLP and RFLP are also used for several parasitic disease diagnoses. Moreover now, complete genome sequencing of many of parasites has been achieved. The complete genome data also provides suitable gene sequence which, when cloned and expressed provides antigens for diagnosis and vaccine preparation. Similarly, protein based serological assays such as ELISA, dot-ELISA, Fluorescence antibody tests have also been used for parasitic diagnosis. However, the use of molecular tools in veterinary parasitology remains restricted to research rather than use in field as diagnostic tool.

Keywords | Parasites, Molecular diagnosis, PCR, RFLP, ELISA

Editor | Muhammad Imran Rashid, Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.

Received | July 17, 2015; Revised | November 16, 2015; Accepted | November 27, 2015; Published | January 16, 2016

Citation | Ranjan K, Minakshi P, Prasad G (2015). Application of molecular and serological diagnostics in veterinary parasitology. J. Adv. Parasitol. 2(4): 80-99.

ISSN | 2311-4096

Copyright © 2015 Ranjan et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.