Mitochondrial and ribosomal markers in the identification of nematodes of clinical and veterinary importance.

Background: Nematodes of the Ascarididae, Ancylostomatidae and Onchocercidae families are parasites of human and veterinary importance causing infections with high prevalence worldwide. Molecular tools have significantly improved the diagnosis of these helminthiases, but the selection of genetic markers for PCR or metabarcoding purposes is often challenging because of the resolution these may show.

Methods: Nuclear 18S rRNA, internal transcribed spacers 1 (ITS-1) and 2 (ITS-2), mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase 1 (cox1) and mitochondrial rRNA genes 12S and 16S loci were studied for 30 species of the mentioned families.

Subcutaneous spirocercosis in a dog from Costa Rica and first molecular confirmation of Spirocerca lupi in Central America.

Spirocerca lupi is the etiological agent of spirocercosis in canids from tropics and subtropics in the world. This parasite can lead to life threatening complications, including the formation of fibro and osteosarcomas. A 5-year-old crossbreed Maltese dog from Costa Rica was presented to a veterinary clinic with two nodules in the subcutaneous tissues of the cervical region.

Proteomics and Its Role in Cancer Development: An Overview of Spirocercosis-Induced Sarcomas and Revision of Helminth-Induced Carcinomas.

is a parasitic nematode of canids that induces a myriad of clinical manifestations in its host and, in 25% of infections, leads to the formation of sarcomas. The description of the protein composition of the excretory and secretory products (-ESP) of has shed light on its possible interactions with the host environment, including migration within the host and mechanisms of immunomodulation. Despite this, the process by which induces cancer in the dog remains poorly understood, and some hypotheses have arisen regarding these possible mechanisms.