The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of microneme gene 5 of Eimeria tenella (EtMic5) from Pakistan to confirm its evolutionary relationship among different Eimeria species. Birds were reared and infected with Eimeria tenella oocysts. Postmortem of birds revealed the presence of lesions within intestinal caeca. Oocysts were collected, sporulated and used for RNA extraction. RNA was converted to cDNA and analyzed for EtMic5 gene using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR products were confirmed through gel electrophoresis and the samples positive for EtMic5 gene were cleared using PCR cleanup process. EtMic5 gene was partially sequenced from Macrogen® laboratory Korea. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the sequence is similar to all those previously reported in other parts of the world. The nucleotide sequence was deposited in GenBank and the assigned accession number is MT684461. The outcomes of this investigation indicate the presence of high frequency of Eimeria tenella infection in Pakistan.

To Cite This Article: Shahid SRA, Shah MA, Riaz A, Malik AM, Hasan MU, Xiangrui L, Babar W and Shahid SKA, 2020. Identification and molecular characterization of Eimeria tenella based on EtMic5 gene in Pakistan. Pak Vet J, 40(4): 443-448. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2020.063