CPB 69700 RESEARCH SEMINAR

DEPARTMENT OF COMPARATIVE PATHOBIOLOGY

Invited Speaker:

Daniel K. Howe, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center

University of Kentucky

“Molecular Characterization Of Sarcocystis neurona And What It Can Reveal

About Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis”

Thurs., February 12, 2009

VPTH 112

3:30 pm

Abstract:

Sarcocystis neurona is a protozoan parasite that is the primary cause equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). A primary objective of my research program is to obtain a better understanding of the molecular biology of S. neurona, and to utilize this information to improve our ability to understand and control EPM. An expressed sequence tag (EST) sequencing project has produced a database allowing for the identification of multiple putative virulence factors from S. neurona, including a gene family of paralogous surface antigens called SnSAGs. These surface proteins are highly immunogenic, and are therefore candidate molecules for development of diagnostics and vaccines. We are presently investigating whether serologic assays based on recombinant SnSAGs can be used to distinguish EPM horses from the numerous horses that are exposed to S. neurona but are clinically unaffected. We are also examining SnSAG polymorphisms that are present in different strains of S. neurona. Our findings demonstrate that diversity exists in the S. neurona strains found in nature, which has implications for serological testing and development of vaccines against EPM as well as the population biology of Sarcocystis cycling in the opossum definitive host.