PREVALENCE AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF(FILARIOIDEA: ONCHOCERCIDAE) IN DOGS FROM ENDEMIC AREAS OF RIO DE JANEIRO STATE, BRAZIL.

Abstract

Canine dirofilariasis is common in Brazil, but molecular diagnosis is rare even though molecular studies increase our knowledge about molecular epidemiology and circulating genotypes from helminths worldwide. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of infection with a modified Knott's test and to perform molecular characterization of(Leidy, 1856) Railliet and Henry, 1911, in dogs from endemic areas of Maricá and Niterói municipalities, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Molecular characterization was performed in 33 blood samples from dogs positive for microfilariae and 4 adult worms obtained from 2 other dogs. DNA extraction followed by PCR for mitochondrial targetand cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 () ofwere performed, and the amplified products were sequenced. All sequences were identical for both gene targets and showed 100% identity withsequences from different animal species from various countries. The study concluded that this genotype ofmight be dispersed worldwide.