제주도내 심장사상충에 감염된 유기견의 혈액에서 울바키아 검출

Abstract

Dirofilalia immitis is a mosquito-borne hemoparasite of dogs that enzootic throughout in tropical to temperate region. It harbors a symbiotic intracellular bacterium which is Wolbachia pipientis that conduct as an important role in its biology, and causative agent of inflammatory reaction of dirofilariasis. In this study, we try to investigate the prevalence of Dirofilalia immitis, detection of Wolbachia DNA in blood and Genetic analysis of Wolbachia from shelter dogs in Jeju. From 2013 to 2016, the blood samples from 5,460 shelter dogs were collected. Observed annual prevalance of Dirofilalia immitis was 9.53-17.9%, and it was confirmed that spring (12.6%-16.2%) shows a high infection rate during 3 years. PCR assay was performed to detect Wolbachia DNA from blood in 70 Dirofilalia immitis infected shelter dogs, 23(32.8%) dogs were infected with Wolbachia. By sequencing analysis, It showed 100% identity between Wolbachia pipientis in Jeju and Wolbachia pipientis in USA. These results indicate that Wolbachia is also confirmed in Dirofilalia immitis in Jeju island and the prevalence of Dirofilalia immitis has increased in Jeju over the past 3 years. Small animal practitioners in this area should control the Wolbachia during their heartworm treatment process.