Detección del gen ARNr 16S en garrapatas del género Ixodidae de animales

José Luis Bonilla Espinoza; Ligia Verónica  Hernández Salgado; Luis Fernando Salazar Antón

doi:10.5377/ul.v17i2.22336

Authors

José Luis Bonilla Espinoza National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, Leon. Nicaragua https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3796-3973
L. V. Hernández-Salgado National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, Leon. Nicaragua https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0442-0868
L. F. Salazar-Antón National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, Leon. Nicaragua https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5761-005X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5377/ul.v17i2.22336

Keywords:

Taxonomy, Molecular, Ectoparasites, Communities, Leon

Abstract

Morphological characteristics are useful for distinguishing between soft and hard ticks, but numerous difficulties remain in taxonomic characterization between species and in determining the geographic origin of ticks. This study detected the 16S rRNA gene in ticks of the genus Ixodidae from animals. Five ticks per animal were collected from 130 cattle, 100 horses, and 20 dogs from farms located in eighteen communities in Leon Municipality. The ticks were extracted with forceps and placed in tubes containing 90% alcohol, then transported to the Microbiology Laboratory of Veterinary Medicine at UNAN – León. Taxonomic classification was performed using a stereomicroscope and morphometric keys. Subsequently, DNA was extracted from the ticks (in groups of five, grouped by animal species and tick), using a commercial kit. For the PCR assay, an endpoint thermocycler and specific primers that detect the 16S mitochondrial rRNA gene were used. The tick species identified in cattle were Rhipicephalus boophilus microplus 93/130 (71.5%), Amblyomma cajennense 29/130 (22.3%), and Dermacentor nitens 8/130 (6.2%); in horses, Rhipicephalus boophilus microplus 51/100 (51%), Amblyomma cajennense 5/100 (5%), and Dermacentor nitens 44/100 (44%); and in dogs, Rhipicephalus sanguineus 19/20 (95%) and Amblyomma cajennense 1/20 (5%). According to PCR, all tick species belong to the family Ixoidae.

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Author Biographies

José Luis Bonilla Espinoza, National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, Leon. Nicaragua

MSc. José Luis Bonilla. Academic Professor and Researcher in the Knowledge Area of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine. Specific Directorate of Veterinary and Zootechnics, of the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN – León). Veterinary Doctor graduated in 2005. Master's Degree in Tropical Diseases, National University of Costa Rica, 2007. Training in Leptospirosis virulence at the FINLAY Institute, Cuba, 2009. In the period 2009 - 2010, Coordinator of the Veterinary Center for Diagnosis and Research (CEVEDI) from UNAN-León. In 2010, he was appointed Assistant Professor of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry. In 2012, he was appointed Head of Department of the Veterinary Medicine Course at UNAN-León. Since 2012 until now he has been appointed Full Professor. From 2016 to date, he is Coordinator of the master's degree in Small Animal Health. Currently, a PhD student at UNAN-León, in the Medical Sciences program with an emphasis on Infectious Diseases. For the last 17 years, my academic research has focused on the molecular epidemiology of bacterial and viral pathogens such as Leptospirosis, Rickettsial Agents, Brucellosis, Tuberculosis, Rotavirus, Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis, Equine Infectious Anemia.

L. V. Hernández-Salgado, National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, Leon. Nicaragua

Titular Professor in the Area of Knowledge of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, UNAN-LEON. Coordinator of the Master's in Preventive Medicine.

L. F. Salazar-Antón, National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, Leon. Nicaragua

Titular Professor and Researcher. Coordinator of the Doctorate in Medical Sciences. Coordinator of the Unit for Forms of Completion of Studies, Research Department, Academic Directorate

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