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    Incidence Modeling and Protocol for the Detection of Dirofilaria immitis in Montana

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    DoughertyRFinal_2011.pdf (1.714Mb)
    Author
    Dougherty, Ryne
    Advisor
    Sam Alvey; Grant Hokit; Jack Oberweiser
    Date of Issue
    2011-04-01
    Subject Keywords
    Heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, mosquito, Aedes vexans, vector
    Metadata
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    URI
    https://scholars.carroll.edu/handle/20.500.12647/2801
    Title
    Incidence Modeling and Protocol for the Detection of Dirofilaria immitis in Montana
    Type
    thesis
    Abstract
    Heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, is a parasite that infects dogs (Thanchomnang et al., 2010), coyotes (Sacks et al., 2002), cats (Liu et al., 2005), and humans (Oleaga et al., 2009). D. immitus is transmitted from dog to dog through numerous mosquito vectors. Studies in Minnesota demonstrated the likelihood of Ae. vexans being the chief vector based on its frequent feeding habits and anatomy that are conducive for larvae growth (Bemrick & Sandholm, 1966). Therefore due to climate and geographical similarities, the most likely vector is Ae. vexans in Montana. Due to the climate dependent growth of D. immitis (American Heartworm Society 2007), mosquitoes from the summers of 2007 and 2005 were sampled (http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/climate-monitoring/, accessed on 2/16/2011). These mosquitoes were examined using a SYBR-Green real time PCR assay since the SYBR-Green flourophore requires less specialization of the real time machine and allows for broader use of the method. The results from the real time PCR assay were compared with other factors that contribute to prevalence in the reservoir, such as: host population dynamics, transmission mechanism, environmental influences, and agricultural practices (Lloyd-Smith et al., 2009; Vezzani & Carbajo, 2006). The Vezzani & Carbajo (2006) factors were applied to Montana in predicting the risk zones. The development of the DNA extraction and SYBR-Green PCR protocol was successful and the results of the mosquito samples show that D. immitis is nonexistent or at least extremely rare within the mosquito populations in the Montana counties sampled. The risk assessment map strengthened the negative results from the real time PCR detection assay.
    Degree Awarded
    Bachelor's
    Semester
    Spring
    Department
    Life & Environmental Sciences
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    • Life and Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Theses

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