title: Molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis of Dipetalonema evansi (LEWIS, 1882) in camels (Camelus dromedarius) of Iran.
abstract: Despite the economic importance of camels, the parasites that affect them have not received adequate attention so far and molecular studies are scarce compared to other livestock. In this study, we characterized peripheral blood microfilariae in 200 healthy one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) from south-east Iran by microscopy and molecular tools to receive a more detailed insight into prevalence and species that affect them. Moreover, adult specimens of the filarial nematode Dipetalonema evansi were collected from the carcass of an infected animal. Microscopic examination was performed on Giemsa-stained blood smears, and blood was also spotted on Whatman FTA(®) cards for DNA analysis. Genomic DNA was extracted, and PCR was carried out for the detection of filaroid helminths, followed by sequence analysis of positive samples. Four samples were positive for microfilariae by microscopy, while 16 animals (8 %) were positive by PCR. Sequence analysis revealed D. evansi in all cases. Phylogenetic analysis of a cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence of filaroid nematodes showed that most species in a single genus cluster in the same clade; however, D. evansi and D. gracile are not monophyletic and branch rather at the base of the tree. Further studies on the life cycle of D. evansi, specifically the identification of intermediate host(s), have become feasible with the provision of the first specific COI sequences in this study.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A-1210, Vienna, Austria.|Department of Agriculture, Payame Noor University, P.O. Box 193953697, Tehran, Iran.|Iranian Research Center for Zoonotic Diseases, School of Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Postal Code 8915173160, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sazmand
authors.affiliation: Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A-1210, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Eigner
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Postal Code 7616914111, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mirzaei
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Postal Code 8916188635, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyedhossein
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hekmatimoghaddam
authors.affiliation: Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A-1210, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harl
authors.affiliation: Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A-1210, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Georg Gerhard
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Duscher
authors.affiliation: Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A-1210, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Hans-Peter
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Fuehrer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A-1210, Vienna, Austria. Anja.Joachim@vetmeduni.ac.at.
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Joachim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002162:Camelus / Q000469:parasitology*; D004153:Dipetalonema / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004154:Dipetalonema Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005843:Geography; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008842:Microfilariae; D010802:Phylogeny; D015995:Prevalence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000662:veterinary
keywords: COI; Camels; Dipetalonema evansi; Filariosis; Hemoparasites; PCR