Determining Prevalence of Dog Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) and Vector Species from Dog Parks in Sacramento-Yolo County, CA
Poster Number
21
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Tara Thiemann
Research or Creativity Area
Natural Sciences
Abstract
Dog heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is a mosquito-borne filarial nematode that primarily affects domestic dogs, causing potentially fatal cardiopulmonary disease. Transmission occurs during mosquito blood feeding, but which mosquitoes serve as the primary vectors in the Sacramento-Yolo region of California remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of D. immitis in mosquitoes collected from dog parks and to identify the species most associated with infection. Mosquitoes were collected by Sacramento-Yolo Vector Control District, pooled and screened for D. immitis DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Of the 129 mosquito pools tested, preliminary analysis identified 22 potential amplification products, while the majority tested negative. PCR products were visualized by gel electrophoresis, with potential positives indicated by the presence of a ~193-base pair (bp) band, the expected product size for D. immitis. These amplicons were purified and submitted for Sanger sequencing to confirm. Results will be shared with the Sacramento-Yolo Vector Control District. These findings will help identify key vector species contributing to regional transmission and provide essential data to guide surveillance priorities and mosquito control strategies that support the prevention of heartworm infection in both domestic and wild canids.
Location
University of the Pacific, DeRosa University Center
Start Date
26-4-2025 10:00 AM
End Date
26-4-2025 1:00 PM
Determining Prevalence of Dog Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) and Vector Species from Dog Parks in Sacramento-Yolo County, CA
University of the Pacific, DeRosa University Center
Dog heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is a mosquito-borne filarial nematode that primarily affects domestic dogs, causing potentially fatal cardiopulmonary disease. Transmission occurs during mosquito blood feeding, but which mosquitoes serve as the primary vectors in the Sacramento-Yolo region of California remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of D. immitis in mosquitoes collected from dog parks and to identify the species most associated with infection. Mosquitoes were collected by Sacramento-Yolo Vector Control District, pooled and screened for D. immitis DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Of the 129 mosquito pools tested, preliminary analysis identified 22 potential amplification products, while the majority tested negative. PCR products were visualized by gel electrophoresis, with potential positives indicated by the presence of a ~193-base pair (bp) band, the expected product size for D. immitis. These amplicons were purified and submitted for Sanger sequencing to confirm. Results will be shared with the Sacramento-Yolo Vector Control District. These findings will help identify key vector species contributing to regional transmission and provide essential data to guide surveillance priorities and mosquito control strategies that support the prevention of heartworm infection in both domestic and wild canids.
