First study on microscopic and molecular detection of Acanthocheilonema reconditum and Leishmania infantum coinfection in dogs in Southwest Colombia

Canine vector-borne diseases represent an important issue for the welfare and health of animals, but also have great zoonotic potential. These diseases are caused by bacteria, nematodes such as filariae, and other parasites such as spp. Given the difficulty in differentiating common microfilariae in dogs by microscopy and serological methods, molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing should be valuable for reaching a reliable diagnosis. This study aimed to use microscopy and PCR to identify the microfilarial species in dogs from Valle del Cauca, Colombia, and a possible association with parasites. This study was conducted on 270 dogs from Pradera and Florida municipalities. Microfilariae were detected in dogs by optical microscopy and amplification with . Species identification was achieved through the amplification of the gene ( ). Microscopic detection of microfilariae was possible in 4.81% (13/270) of the dogs. In addition, by PCR of and Sanger sequencing of , was identified as the circulating microfilarial species in 12 dogs, coinfecting with the species ( complex). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on and mixed infection in dogs in Colombia, particularly in the Valle del Cauca.