Author Archives: Grupo MVeIT

Proteomic analysis of the somatic and surface compartments from Dirofilaria immitis adult worms

Veterinary Parasitology. Volume 203, Issue 1-2, 2014, Pages 144-152

Morchón, R. , González-Miguel, J., Carretón, E., Kramer, L.H., Valero, L., Montoya-Alonso, J.A., Simón, F., Siles-Lucas, M.

Abstract

Dirofilaria immitis (hearthworm) is a filarial roundworm transmitted by mosquitoes to different vertebrate hosts (dogs, cats and humans, among others), causing dirofilariosis. The adult worms reside in the pulmonary arteries affecting vessels and tissues and resulting in different pathological manifestations. Worms migrate to the heart and surrounding major vessels in heavy infections. Dirofilariosis can result in serious damage to affected hosts. In the last few years, a re-emergence of the disease driven by the climate change has been pointed out. Very recently, the knowledge at molecular level of this parasite has been extended by the published studies on its genome and transcriptome. Nevertheless, studies on the expression of defined protein sets in different parasite compartments and the corresponding role of those proteins in the host-parasite relationship have been relatively scarce to date. These include the description of the adult worm secretome, and some of the proteins eliciting humoural immune responses and those related with plasminogen binding in secreted and surface extracts of the parasite. Here, we investigate by proteomics the somatic and surface compartments of the D. immitis adult worm, adding new information on protein expression and localization that would facilitate a deeper understanding of the host-parasite relationships in dirofilariosis.

Proteomic analysis of the urine of Dirofilaria immitis infected dogs

Veterinary Parasitology. Volume 203, Issue 1-2, 2014, Pages 241-246
Hormaeche, M., Carretón, E., González-Miguel, J., Gussoni, S., Montoya-Alonso, J.A., Simón, F., Morchón, R.

Abstract

Canine cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis caused by Dirofilaria immitis habitually develops as a chronic disease affecting pulmonary arteries, lung parenchyma and heart. Other organs like kidneys can also be involved. Renal pathology is a consequence of glomerulonephritis whose main sign is proteinuria. The aim of the present work is to identify proteins excreted in the urine of D. immitis infected dogs showing proteinuria, and the possible contribution of their loss to heartworm disease. Proteinuria is higher in microfilaremic (mf+) than in amicrofilaremic (mf-) dogs. Using bidimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry 9 different proteins from Canis lupus familiaris in the urine of both mf- and mf+ dogs were identified (serotransferrin isoform 6, serum albumin precursor, albumin, immunoglobulin gamma heavy chain D, apolipoprotein A-I, immunoglobulin lambda-like polypeptide 5-like, arginine esterase precursor, inmunoglobulin gamma heavy chain B and hemoglobin subunit alpha). Furthermore, 3 additional proteins were identified only in the urine of mf+ dogs, corresponding to dog fibrinogen alpha chain and immunoglobulin gamma heavy chain A and actin 2 homologous to a protein of Brugia malayi. The loss of these proteins and other in the urine of D. immitis infected dogs could affect the general condition of parasitized dogs through the interference in the cholesterol metabolism and O₂ transport, among other mechanisms.

Geo-environmental model for the prediction of potential transmission risk of Dirofilaria in an area with dry climate and extensive irrigated crops: The case of Spain

Veterinary Parasitology. Volume 200, Issue 3-4, 2014, Pages 257-264

Simón, L., Afonin, A., López-Díez, L.I., González-Miguel, J., Morchón, R., Carretón, E., Montoya-Alonso, J.A., Kartashev, V.d, Simón, F.

Abstract

Zoonotic filarioses caused by Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are transmitted by culicid mosquitoes. Therefore Dirofilaria transmission depends on climatic factors like temperature and humidity. In spite of the dry climate of most of the Spanish territory, there are extensive irrigated crops areas providing moist habitats favourable for mosquito breeding. A GIS model to predict the risk of Dirofilaria transmission in Spain, based on temperatures and rainfall data as well as in the distribution of irrigated crops areas, is constructed. The model predicts that potential risk of Dirofilaria transmission exists in all the Spanish territory. Highest transmission risk exists in several areas of Andalucía, Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, Murcia, Valencia, Aragón and Cataluña, where moderate/high temperatures coincide with extensive irrigated crops. High risk in Balearic Islands and in some points of Canary Islands, is also predicted. The lowest risk is predicted in Northern cold and scarcely or non-irrigated dry Southeastern areas. The existence of irrigations locally increases transmission risk in low rainfall areas of the Spanish territory. The model can contribute to implement rational preventive therapy guidelines in accordance with the transmission characteristics of each local area. Moreover, the use of humidity-related factors could be of interest in future predictions to be performed in countries with similar environmental characteristics.