Molecular detection of filarial nematode parasites in Japanese black bears(

摘要

This study aimed to detect filarial parasites in blood samples of Japanese black bears(Ursus thibetanus japonicus) collected from Iwate Prefecture, Japan.Positive amplicons were obtained from 26 out of 30 samples by nested PCR targeting 18Sribosomal RNA gene and first internal transcribed spacer regions. DNA sequences ofMansonella sp. close to M. ozzardi andDirofilaria sp. were detected for eight and 11 positive amplicons,respectively. Co-infection was detected for the remaining seven amplicons.Dirofilaria sp. was identified as D. ursi by furthergenetic analysis of 5S ribosomal RNA gene sequence. The results of this study willcontribute to further investigations of Japanese black bears for monitoring their risk asa reservoir of possible zoonotic filarial parasites.