Deborah Madi Dibal
Nigerian Defence Academy, Nigeria
Title: Molecular characterization of Onchocerca infected blackfly collected from river Zururu, Malalin Gabas, Kaduna using 0-150 OV and the 12SrRNA
Biography
Biography: Deborah Madi Dibal
Abstract
Simulium damnosum (blackfly) found along fast flowing river and streams is the vector of the disease causing organism, Onchocerca volvulus which is transmitted through the bite of the fly during blood feeding on human resulting in ultimate irreversible blindness. About 150 blackflies were collected from the sampling station, river Zururu which is a tributary that terminates into river Kaduna at Malalin gabas Kaduna, using a hand scooping net and preserved using 80% ethanol. The 150 flies collected were separated into pools of 50 for DNA extraction. Purified DNA obtained was subjected to PCR analysis and amplified using the 12SrRNA forward and reverse primers for the Simulium species and the 0-150 OV forward and reverse primers for the Onchocerca volvulus. The gene amplification using the 12SrRNA generated a band size of 196 bp for the blackfly species and the 0-150 OV generated a band size of 190 bp for the Onchocerca volvulus. Sequencing and blast of the PCR products using the 12SrRNA confirm the following identities. Simulium damnosum (93%), S. maklarini (90%), S. laterale (90%), and S. middlemissae (78%). The results from these study shows without any doubt that the presence of blackflies actively feeding in the area and are infected with Onchocerca volvulus.