Molecular Discovery of Filarial Nematode DNA in an Endangered Wild Pinniped (Galapagos Sea Lion, <i>Zalophus wollebaeki</i>).

ABSTRACT: Rapidly changing environments are contributing to the spread of non-native species and their associated pathogens into new and vulnerable ecosystems, such as the Galapagos archipelago. These pathogens represent a significant threat to emblematic species. The Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) (GSL) is an endangered and endemic pinniped that is increasingly at risk of acquiring infectious diseases due to interactions with introduced companion animals. Previously, we reported the first detection of antigens from Dirofilaria immitis, the parasite that causes canine heartworm disease, in the GSL. To investigate further, we developed a multifilarial PCR assay and successfully detected DNA from D. immitis and the closely related Dirofilaria repens in 10.7% of ou

SUBMITTER: Livingston IG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11586683 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature