Sequence analysis and comparison of ribosomal DNA from bovine Neospora to similar coccidial parasites

Abstract

The nuclear small subunit ribosomal RNA (nss-rRNA) gene sequence of Neospora spp. isolated from cattle was analyzed and compared to the sequences from several closely related cyst-forming coccidial parasites. Double-stranded DNA sequencing of 5 bovine Neospora spp. isolates (BPA1-4), 2 Neospora caninum isolates (NC-1 and NC-3), and 3 Toxoplasma gondii isolates (RH, GT-1, CT-1) were performed and compared to each other, as well as to other sequences available in GenBank for the NC-1 isolate, Sarcocystis muris, and Cryptosporidium parvum. There were no nucleotide differences detected between the Neospora spp. isolates from cattle and dogs. Four nucleotide differences were consistently detected when sequences of Neospora spp. isolates were compared to those of the T. gondii isolates. These results indicate that Neospora spp. and T. gondii are closely related, but distinct, species.