Molecular detection of filarial nematode from Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in northeastern Thailand
https://doi.org/10.47665/tb.40.2.010
- Author:
Pramual, P.
1
;
Khamluea, S.
1
;
Butlun, P.
1
;
Promdungdee, A.
1
Author Information
1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Kantharawichai District, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Biting midge;
Culicoides;
filarial nematode;
Thailand.
- From:Tropical Biomedicine
2023;40(No.2):188-193
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Culicoides Latreille biting midges are important blood feeding insects. Many species are pests and
vectors of the disease causing agents including viruses, protozoa and filarial nematodes which can be
transmitted to humans and other animals. However, knowledge of the role of Culicoides as vectors of
filarial nematodes is limited, particular in Thailand, where at least 100 species of the genus Culicoides
have been reported. In this study, a molecular approach using the 12S rRNA gene sequence was used
to detecting the filarial nematode in four common biting midge species, C. actoni Smith, C. oxystoma
Kieffer, C. peregrinus Kieffer and C. mahasarakhamense Pramual, Jomkumsing, Piraonapicha & Jumpato
in animal shelters from northeastern Thailand. A total of 1,721 specimens were used for molecular
screening. An unidentified Onchocercidae sp. was detected in a specimen of C. mahasarakhamense
collected from Maha Sarakham province. This filarial species shows 93% sequence similarity with an
unidentified Onchocercidae sp. isolated from Culex mosquitoes. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that
Onchocercidae sp. from C. mahasarakhamense formed a clade with strong bootstrap support (100%)
with filarial species detected in birds. Thus, it is very likely that the Onchocercidae sp. found in this study
employes birds as vertebrate hosts which agrees with feeding behavior of C. mahasarakhamense which
is known to feed on chicken. Further study is requiring to examine whether this biting midge species
is a competent vector of this Onchocercidae sp.
- Full text:8.2023my1406.pdf
