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Ribosomal DNA second internal transcribed spacer sequence studies of Culicid vectors from an endemic area of Dirofilaria immitis in Spain

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Abstract

Studies were performed in an endemic area of Dirofilaria immitis in Spain to genetically characterize the potential mosquito vector species present by means of DNA sequencing and elucidate which of these species may be involved in the transmission. The rDNA ITS-2 sequences of two Culex pipiens haplotypes, H1 and H2, Aedes (Aedimorphus) vexans, Fredwardsius vittatus, Ochlerotatus (Ochlerotatus) caspius, Anopheles (Anopheles) atroparvus, and Anopheles (Anopheles) plumbeus were obtained. F. vittatus and An. plumbeus were detected for the first time. Results on abundance, presence, and activity suggest that the month of August is the period of higher transmission risk, with C. pipiens, Ae. vexans, and An. atroparvus present simultaneously. Population studies indicate that C. pipiens may be considered the most important potential vector, while Ae. vexans, An. atroparvus, and O. caspius being involved in transmission only sporadically. The absence of larval dirofilarial infection agrees with the very low prevalences known in endemic areas.

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Acknowledgements

Field studies, laboratory molecular research and personnel exchange between coauthoring teams funded by the Red de Investigación de Centros de Enfermedades Tropicales—RICET (project no. C03/04 of the Programme of Redes Temáticas de Investigación Cooperativa) of the Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (FIS), Spanish Ministry of Health, Madrid, Spain, and by Project “Emerging Diseases in a Changing European Environment—EDEN” (ref. no. 511248-1, contract no. 010284) of the European Commission (Thematic Priority 6.3. Global Change and Ecosystems), Brussels.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Av. Vicente Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain

    M. D. Bargues, J. M. Latorre & S. Mas-Coma

  2. Laboratorio de Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Salamanca, Av. del Campo Charro s/n, 37007, Salamanca, Spain

    R. Morchón & F. Simón

  3. Istituto di Parassitologia, Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza”, Ple. Aldo Moro No.5, 00185, Roma, Italy

    G. Cancrini

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  1. M. D. Bargues
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  2. R. Morchón
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  3. J. M. Latorre
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  4. G. Cancrini
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  5. S. Mas-Coma
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Correspondence to M. D. Bargues.

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Bargues, M.D., Morchón, R., Latorre, J.M. et al. Ribosomal DNA second internal transcribed spacer sequence studies of Culicid vectors from an endemic area of Dirofilaria immitis in Spain. Parasitol Res 99, 205–213 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-005-0107-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-005-0107-6

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