Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Molecular Detection of the Endosymbiont Wolbachia sp. in Acanthocheilonema Reconditum and Potential Vectors

Version 1 : Received: 15 February 2022 / Approved: 16 February 2022 / Online: 16 February 2022 (04:38:29 CET)

How to cite: Palacios, Y.; Rincón, R.; Castellanos, A. Molecular Detection of the Endosymbiont Wolbachia sp. in Acanthocheilonema Reconditum and Potential Vectors. Preprints 2022, 2022020191. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202202.0191.v1 Palacios, Y.; Rincón, R.; Castellanos, A. Molecular Detection of the Endosymbiont Wolbachia sp. in Acanthocheilonema Reconditum and Potential Vectors. Preprints 2022, 2022020191. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202202.0191.v1

Abstract

Background: Wolbachia sp. is an endosymbiotic bacterium that is widespread among arthropods and filarial nematodes. It affects the fertility and maturation of its arthropod hosts, which in some cases are vectors of infectious diseases of humans and animals. Acanthocheilonema reconditum is a canine filarial nematode, which can eventually infect humans through arthropods. An outbreak of A. reconditum has been reported recently in dogs in the southwest of Colombia, specifically in Cali. In addition, Wolbachia sp. is currently used for the biological control of the mosquito Aedes egypti in cities in the north and south-west of Colombia. Aedes egypti is a vector of dengue fever, a major public health disease in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. The objectives of this study were to detect Wolbachia sp. in mosquito and flea samples collected from dogs in southwestern Colombia and to determine the co-infection of Wolbachia sp. and A. reconditum in the recent outbreak of canine filariasis in Santiago de Cali. Methods: A total of 18 mosquitoes of the genera Aedes and Culex and 18 Ctenocephalides felis fleas were collected in Santiago de Cali and nearby municipalities. DNA was extracted and 16S rRNA and ftsZ gene fragments were identified using conventional and nested polymerase chain reaction. In addition, the presence of Wolbachia sp. was analyzed in 55 cases positive for A. reconditum previously detected in the city, using the same molecular techniques. Results: From the analysis of 18 mosquitoes and 18 fleas, using molecular techniques based on the 16S rRNA and ftsZ genes, Wolbachia sp. was detected in all the arthropods analyzed. Wolbachia sp. was not detected in the samples obtained from dogs infected with A. reconditum. Conclusions: Molecular analyses were shown to be effective for the identification of Wolbachia sp. in mosquitoes and fleas but not in samples positive for A. reconditum.

Keywords

Wolbachia; Aedes sp.; Culex sp.; Ctenocephalides felis; Acanthocheilonema reconditum; poly-merase chain reaction

Subject

Biology and Life Sciences, Animal Science, Veterinary Science and Zoology

Comments (0)

We encourage comments and feedback from a broad range of readers. See criteria for comments and our Diversity statement.

Leave a public comment
Send a private comment to the author(s)
* All users must log in before leaving a comment
Views 0
Downloads 0
Comments 0
Metrics 0


×
Alerts
Notify me about updates to this article or when a peer-reviewed version is published.
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here.