Background and Aim: Canine vector-borne diseases represent an important issue for the welfare and health of animals, but also have great zoonotic potential. These diseases are caused by bacteria, nematodes such as filariae, and other parasites such as Leishmania spp. Given the difficulty in differentiating common microfilariae in dogs by microscopy and serological methods, molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing should be valuable for reaching a reliable diagnosis. This study aimed to use microscopy and PCR to identify the microfilarial species in dogs from Valle del Cauca, Colombia, and a possible association with Leishmania infantum parasites. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 270 dogs from Pradera and Florida municipalities. Microfilariae were detected in dogs by optical microscopy and amplification with 5.8S-ITS2-28S. Species identification was achieved through the amplification of the gene cytochrome oxidase I (COX1). Results: Microscopic detection of microfilariae was possible in 4.81% (13/270) of the dogs. In addition, by PCR of COX1 and Sanger sequencing of ITS2, Acanthocheilonema reconditum was identified as the circulating microfilarial species in 12 dogs, coinfecting with the species L. infantum (Leishmania donovani complex). Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on A. reconditum and L. infantum mixed infection in dogs in Colombia, particularly in the Valle del Cauca.

Background Myelin basic protein (MBP) is one of the most important structural components of the myelin sheaths in both central and peripheral nervous systems. MBP has several functions including organization of the myelin membranes, reorganization of the cytoskeleton during the myelination process, and interaction with the SH3 domain in signaling pathways. Likewise, MBP has been proposed as a marker of demyelination in traumatic brain injury and chemical exposure. Methods The aim of this study was to molecularly characterize the myelin basic protein a (mbpa) gene from the Colombian native fish, red-bellied pacu, Piaractus brachypomus. Bioinformatic tools were used to identify the phylogenetic relationships, physicochemical characteristics, exons, intrinsically disordered regions, and conserved domains of the protein. Gene expression was assessed by qPCR in three models corresponding to sublethal chlorpyrifos exposure, acute brain injury, and anesthesia experiments. Results mbpa complete open reading frame was identified with 414 nucleotides distributed in 7 exons that encode 137 amino acids. MBPa was recognized as belonging to the myelin basic protein family, closely related with orthologous proteins, and two intrinsically disordered regions were established within the sequence. Gene expression of mbpa was upregulated in the optic chiasm of the chlorpyrifos exposed fish in contrast to the control group. Conclusions The physicochemical computed features agree with the biological functions of MBP, and basal gene expression was according to the anatomical distribution in the tissues analyzed. This study is the first molecular characterization of mbpa from the native species Piaractus brachypomus.

Aquaporins (AQPs) are proteins with various functions related to proper cell function and early development in mammals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of AQPs and determine their mRNA levels in the cumulus oocyte complex (COC) of four bovine breeds and in blastocysts of five bovine crosses. Grade I, II and III COCs were collected by ovum pick up from non-lactating heifers of the Brahaman, Holstein, Gir and Romosinuano breeds. Embryos were produced in vitro up to the blastocyst stage of the bovine ♀Gir × ♂Holstein, ♀Holstein × ♂Gir, ♀Brahman × ♂Holstein, ♀Holstein × ♂Brahman, and ♀Romosinuano × ♂Holstein crosses. mRNA expression of AQP1-AQP12b was estimated in COC and embryos by real-time-PCR. The presence of the twelve AQPs in the COCs and bovine embryos was established. Additionally, significant differences were determined in the expression of AQP6 and AQP12b in COCs, as well as in transcripts levels of AQP4, AQP8 and AQP9 from bovine embryos. Gene expression of AQPs in COCs and bovine embryos is consistent with the previously described biological functions. This is the first report of AQPs in COC of Gir, Brahman, Holstein and Romosinuano and embryos of five crossbreeds between Bos indicus and B. taurus.

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