Collection and DNA Detection of Dirofilaria immitis (Rhabditida Onchocercidae), Using a Novel Primer Set, in Wild-Caught Mosquitoes From Gainesville, FL.

Dirofilaria immitis, the causative agent of dog heartworm disease, is an important cause of canine morbidity and mortality, expensive to treat, and severe infections are often fatal. Much is known about the pathogen in the canine host, yet little is known on the basic ecology of the nematode in the mosquito vector. Thus, to evaluate the effectiveness of collection techniques on ability to capture dog heartworm-infected mosquitoes (Diptera Culicidae), we conducted a field study spanning 111 wk.

Identification of Suitable spp. Housekeeping Genes.

Gene expression studies often require reliable housekeeping (HK) genes to accurately capture gene expression levels under given conditions. This is especially true for root-knot nematodes (RKN, spp.), whose drastic developmental changes are strongly dependent upon their environment.