The Babesia microti/duncani PCR screen is an assay that detects Babesia DNA in whole blood and speciates to B. microti and B. duncani. The combination of the following three steps imparts a very high specificity and sensitivity to the test:

1. Hybridization/Selection
2. Amplification of Babesia-specific DNA
3. Detection of Babesia-specific amplified DNA fragments

Principle: Babesia rDNA fragments are hybrid-selected by probes, followed by PCR amplification of selected Babesia rDNA. PCR products are confirmed with Babesia-specific probes in a southern blot assay. The primers and probes used for the selection of Babesia rDNA fragments are designed from published, small ribosomal RNA sequences.

Stage of Disease: Any Stage of Disease

Test Methodology: PCR