Ascogregarina taiwanensis infection in Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Santa Catarina, South Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: This study registers Ascogregarina spp. infection in field populations of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in a subtropical region of Brazil. Methods: Mosquito larvae collected in tires placed in four municipalities of Santa Catarina were identified morphologically and assessed for Ascogregarina sp. infection using morphological and molecular methods. Results: Both mosquito species harbored Ascogregarina taiwanensis, whose genomic DNA was confirmed in both the Aedes species by PCR. DNA sequences were deposited in GenBank. Conclusion: Both Ae. albopictus e Ae. aegypti harbor Ascogregarina sp.