Molecular detection of filarial parasites in Mustelidae from Lithuania

Abstract

Filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by an infection with roundworms of the Filarioidea subfamily. The main vector of this parasite is mosquitoes. This disease belongs to the group of diseases called helminthiases. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of filarial parasites in Mustelidae from Lithuania. A total of 127 animals belonging to the six species of Mustelidae family Neovison vison (n=52), Martes foina (n=23), Martes martes (n=21), Mustela putorius (n=21), Meles meles (n=7), Lutra lutra (n=3) were collected from roads or harvested by hunters. DNA was extracted from the spleen samples, and then used for PCR analysis. Two primer sets amplifying fragments of ITS-2 region and COI gene were used for molecular identification of helminthes. Amplification occurred in two samples obtained from Neovison vison and Martes martes. Sequence analysis of partial ITS-2 region of sample derived from Neovison vison show 99 % similarity with Toxocara cati sequences from GenBank. Sequences analysis of partial ITS-2 region and COI gene indicated the presence of filarial parasites in Martes martes. The sequences of ITS-2 region and COI gene obtained in the present study have 89 % and 91 % similarity to Brugia spp. sequences deposited in the GenBank, respectively. This is the first molecular detection of Toxocara cati in Neovison vison and filarial parasites in Martes martes in Lithuania.