Differentiation between Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli using heat-shock protein 70 polymorphisms.

OBJECTIVE: Differential diagnosis of infection with Trypanosoma cruzi or T. rangeli is relevant for epidemiological studies and clinical practice as both species infect humans, but only T. cruzi causes Chagas' disease. Their common antigen determinants complicate the distinction between both species, while current PCR assays used for differentiation show some drawbacks. We developed and validated a generic PCR discriminating the species by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and a duplex PCR specifically amplifying a differently sized fragment of both species. METHODS: The assays are based upon a partial region of the heat-shock protein 70 gene (hsp70). The analytical sensitivity and specificity were determined for both PCRs. The assays were analytically evaluated on a panel of six T. cruzi, one T. cruzi marinkellei and four T. rangeli strains, various other infectious pathogens, a panel of spiked samples of T. cruzi, and artificially mixed infections of T. cruzi and T. rangeli. Finally, the tools were applied on 36 additional isolates of Trypanosoma species. RESULTS: The detection limit of the PCRs was between 0.05 and 0.5 parasite genomes, and 1-10 parasites spiked in 200 µl blood. In artificial mixtures, PCR-RFLP picked up both species in ratios up to 10(2) and duplex PCR up to 10(4) . In the 36 isolates tested, both single and mixed infections were identified. All assays were shown to be specific. CONCLUSION: Our PCRs show high potential for the differential diagnosis of T. cruzi and T. rangeli, which in view of their sensitivity can aid in the confirmation of infection with these parasites in vectors, reservoirs and clinical samples.

Species typing of Cuban Trichomonas vaginalis virus by RT-PCR, and association of TVV-2 with high parasite adhesion levels and high pathogenicity in patients.

The viral infection of the parasite with T. vaginalis virus (TVV) may have important implications for trichomonal virulence. In this study we identified the TVV species isolated from Cuban T. vaginalis, using specie specific Reverse Transcriptase-PCR. Of the 37 clinical isolates studied, 21 were infected with TVV, 6 contained TVV-1, 12, TVV- 2 and 3 were co-infected with TVV-1 and -2. The strains infected with TVV showing highest adhesion level in comparison to not infected strains, with high statistical significance. The strains infected only with TVV-2 showing highest adhesion level in comparison to strains infected with TVV-1, with high statistical significance. The parasites classified as mild symptomatic are infected only with TVV-1, however the severe only with TVV-2. According to our results, it seems that only two TVV species are infecting the Cuban isolates. Further studies using higher number of strains should be conducted in order to corroborate these results.

Mycoplasma hominis in Cuban Trichomonas vaginalis isolates: association with parasite genetic polymorphism.

Trichomonas vaginalis can be naturally infected with intracellular Mycoplasma hominis. This bacterial infection may have implications for trichomonal virulence and disease pathogenesis. The objective of the study was to report the presence of M. hominis in Cuban T. vaginalis isolates and to describe the association between the phenotype M. hominis infected with RAPD genetic polymorphism of T. vaginalis. The Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to determine genetic differences among 40 isolates of T. vaginalis using a panel of 30 random primers and these genetic data were correlated with the infection of isolates with M. hominis. The trees drawn based on RAPD data showed no relations with metronidazole susceptibility and significantly association with the presence of M. hominis (P=0.043), which demonstrates the existence of concordance between the genetic relatedness and the presence of M. hominis in T. vaginalis isolates. This result could point to a predisposition of T. vaginalis for the bacterial enters and/or survival.

Double-stranded RNA viral infection of Trichomonas vaginalis and correlation with genetic polymorphism of isolates.

Trichomonas vaginalis can be infected with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses known as T. vaginalis virus (TVV). This viral infection may have important implications for trichomonal virulence and disease pathogenesis. The objective of this study was to determine the possible correlation between the T. vaginalis genetic polymorphism and the isolate infection with TVV. The Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to determine genetic differences among 37 isolates of T. vaginalis using a panel of 30 random primers and these genetic data were correlated with the infection of isolates with TVV. The trees drawn based on RAPD data showed significantly association with the presence of TVV (P = 0.028) demonstrating the existence of concordance between the genetic relatedness and the presence of TVV in T. vaginalis isolates. This result could point to a predisposition of T. vaginalis for the viral enters and/or survival.

Phylogenetic analysis of the Trypanosoma genus based on the heat-shock protein 70 gene.

Trypanosome evolution was so far essentially studied on the basis of phylogenetic analyses of small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU-rRNA) and glycosomal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gGAPDH) genes. We used for the first time the 70kDa heat-shock protein gene (hsp70) to investigate the phylogenetic relationships among 11 Trypanosoma species on the basis of 1380 nucleotides from 76 sequences corresponding to 65 strains. We also constructed a phylogeny based on combined datasets of SSU-rDNA, gGAPDH and hsp70 sequences. The obtained clusters can be correlated with the sections and subgenus classifications of mammal-infecting trypanosomes except for Trypanosoma theileri and Trypanosoma rangeli. Our analysis supports the classification of Trypanosoma species into clades rather than in sections and subgenera, some of which being polyphyletic. Nine clades were recognized: Trypanosoma carassi, Trypanosoma congolense, Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma grayi, Trypanosoma lewisi, T. rangeli, T. theileri, Trypanosoma vivax and Trypanozoon. These results are consistent with existing knowledge of the genus' phylogeny. Within the T. cruzi clade, three groups of T. cruzi discrete typing units could be clearly distinguished, corresponding to TcI, TcIII, and TcII+V+VI, while support for TcIV was lacking. Phylogenetic analyses based on hsp70 demonstrated that this molecular marker can be applied for discriminating most of the Trypanosoma species and clades.

Double-stranded RNA viral infection in Cuban Trichomonas vaginalis isolates.

Trichomonas vaginalis can be infected with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses designated T. vaginalis virus (TVV), which may have important implications for trichomonal virulence and disease pathogenesis. We tested for TVV in 40 fresh T. vaginalis isolates from Cuban patients by total extraction of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). TVV was detected in 22 (55%) of the 40 T. vaginalis isolates. This gives an estimate of the infection rate of Cuban T. vaginalis isolates by the dsRNA virus. Future research should focus on the association between trichomonosis symptoms and the presence of TVV.

Optimization of random amplified polymorphic DNA techniques for use in genetic studies of Cuban Triatominae.

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique is a simple and reliable method to detect DNA polymorphism. Several factors can affect the amplification profiles, thereby causing false bands and non-reproducibility of assay. In this study, we analyzed the effect of changing the concentration of primer, magnesium chloride, template DNA and Taq DNA polymerase with the objective of determining their optimum concentration for the standardization of RAPD technique for genetic studies of Cuban Triatominae. Reproducible amplification patterns were obtained using 5 pmoL of primer, 2.5 mM of MgCl2, 25 ng of template DNA and 2 U of Taq DNA polymerase in 25 microL of the reaction. A panel of five random primers was used to evaluate the genetic variability of T. flavida. Three of these (OPA-1, OPA-2 and OPA-4) generated reproducible and distinguishable fingerprinting patterns of Triatominae. Numerical analysis of 52 RAPD amplified bands generated for all five primers was carried out with unweighted pair group method analysis (UPGMA). Jaccard's Similarity Coefficient data were used to construct a dendrogram. Two groups could be distinguished by RAPD data and these groups coincided with geographic origin, i.e. the populations captured in areas from east and west of Guanahacabibes, Pinar del Río. T. flavida present low interpopulation variability that could result in greater susceptibility to pesticides in control programs. The RAPD protocol and the selected primers are useful for molecular characterization of Cuban Triatominae.

Characterization of Specific RAPD Markers of Virulence in Trichomonas vaginalis Isolates.

BACKGROUND: As for human trichomoniasis the host-parasite relationship is very complex, and the broad ranges of clinical symptoms are unlikely be attributable to a single pathogenic mechanism. Specific Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers of 490 bp, 720 bp and 460 bp using the primers Tv-5, OPA-6 and OPA-11, respectively, were reported. This was the first description of possible genetic virulence markers of the infection by T. vaginalis. The aim of this study was to characterize the specific RAPD markers in order to elucidate their importance on virulence of this illness. METHODS: The selected specific RAPD fragments were cloned and sequenced. The obtained sequences were compared by the BLAST algorithm. RESULTS: The nucleotide sequence of the Tv-5490 RAPD marker exhibited significant similarity to T. vaginalis hypothetical G3 leucine rich repeat (LRR) family protein (e-value: 6e-14) and Giardia lamblia leucine rich repeat protein 1 virus receptor protein (e-value: 6e-14 and 2e-12) ; however, the OPA-6720 and OPA-11460 showed no significant similarity with any coding published sequence. All the evaluated strains showed the presence of the LRR gene. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate a possible role of this gene in the virulence of T. vaginalis and in the parasite infection with Trichomonas virus as a possible virus receptor. Further analysis of this gene and encoded protein will allow determining the role that they play in the isolates virus susceptible or resistant phenotypes.

In vitro antiplasmodial activity, cytotoxicity and chemical profiles of sponge species of Cuban coasts.

Aqueous and organic fractions from the crude extracts of 17 sponge species collected at Boca de Calderas, Havana, Cuba were analysed. The organic fractions of Mycale laxissima, Clathria echinata and Agelas cerebrum exhibited values of concentrations causing 50% inhibition of in vitro growth of Plasmodium berghei (IC50) of 42.3 ± 5.1, 52 ± 9.7 and 60.3 ± 10.6 µg/mL, respectively, while their selectivity indexes for fibroblast cell lines were 9.45, 4.24 and 8.7, correspondingly. These fractions reduced parasitemia of infected Balb/c mice as well. Selective cytotoxicity indexes against tumour HeLa cells focused an interest on the aqueous fraction of M. laxissima (>7.12) and organic fractions of Polymastia nigra (5.95), A. cerebrum (5.48) and Niphates erecta (>4.2). Triterpenoids/steroids and alkaloids detected in the organic fractions of M. laxissima, C. echinata and A. cerebrum should be isolated for future investigation.

Genetic characterization of three Cuban Trichomonas vaginalis virus. Phylogeny of Totiviridae family.

Trichomonas vaginalis can be infected with double stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses known as T. vaginalis virus (TVV). This viral infection may have important implications for trichomonal virulence and disease pathogenesis. In this study we identified and genetic characterized three strains of TVVs isolated from T. vaginalis in Cuba. The three new predicted sequences of capsid protein and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase amounted to the previously determined 20 TVV sequences and other 21 viruses of Totiviridae family were used for a phylogenetic analysis. Four distinct monophyletic clades are shown in a phylogenetic tree. One corresponds with TVVs, other with Victorivirus, Leishmaniavirus and Eimeria brunetti virus and, other with viruses of the genus Totivirus and the last with Giardiavirus. The E. brunetti virus is identified in the phylogenetic tree as independent taxon between Leishmaniavirus and Victorivirus isolates, most closely related to Victorivirus. TVV constitute a monophyletic cluster distinguishable from all other viruses in Totiviridae family. This result suggested that TVV may be grouped in a separated genus and not inside of Giardiavirus. TVVs appear to be more closely related to protozoan viruses in the genus Leishmaniavirus and to fungal viruses in the genus Victorivirus than to other protozoan and fungal viruses in Giardiavirus and Totivirus. Among TVVs, four main groups can be recognized within Trichomonasvirus cluster, which correspond with the previous species classification proposed. Further studies, with more TVV strains, especially TVV3 and 4 strains, are needed in order to determine the phylogenetic relationship among Trichomonasvirus genus and specifically if TVV2 and 3 each also constitute a well-delimited group.

Genetic variability of Triatoma flavida and Triatoma bruneri (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) by RAPD-PCR technique.

The Triatominae (Hemiptera:Reduviidae) contains the principal and potential Chagas disease vectors present in Mexico, Central America and South America. Triatoma flavida and T. bruneri are Cuban species. These species are closely related according to morphology and were considered synonyms until 1981, when they were separated on the grounds of external characters of the body and the morphology of male genitalia. The present study seeks to analyze genetic polymorphism of T. flavida and T. bruneri populations using RAPD techniques, and to assess the genetic relationship between these species. Ten random primers were used to evaluate the genetic variability among species using RAPD-PCR. The genetic flow among them was calculated. The dendrogram based on calculated Jaccard distances showed two clearly distinguishable clusters which coincided with the studied species. Within each species, moderate genetic differentiation (Fst 0.05-0.15) and migration rates (N > 1) were found among populations, that reveal gene flow and genetic homogeneity. Between species, the Fst value showed a high genetic differentiation and the migration rate was insufficient to maintain genetic homogeneity, and confirmed the absence of gene flow between them. Our results confirm the genetic variability among T. flavida and T. bruneri species.

Antimalarial activity of new acridinone derivatives.

Malaria is one of the major threats concerning world public health. Resistance to the current antimalarial drugs has led to searches for new antimalarial compounds. Acridinone derivatives have recently demonstrated to be active against malaria parasite. We focused our attention on synthesized new acridinone derivatives, some of them resulting with high antiviral and trypanocidal activity. In this study new derivatives of 10-alyl-, 10-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)- and 10-(1,2-propadienyl)-9(10H)-acridinone were evaluated for their antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum. To assess the selectivity, cytotoxicity was assessed in parallel against human MRC-5 cells. Inhibition of ß-hematin formation was determined using a spectrophotometric assay. Mitochondrial bc(1) complexes were isolated from yeast and bovine heart cells to test acridinone inhibitory activity. This study resulted in the identification of three compounds with submicromolar efficacy against P. falciparum and without cytotoxic effects on human cellular line. One compound, IIa (1-fluoro-10-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-9(10H)-acridinone), can be classified as hit for antimalarial drug development exhibiting IC(50) less than 0.2 µg/mL with SI greater than 100. In molecular tests, no relevant inhibitory activity was obtained for our compounds. The mechanism of acridinones antimalarial action remains unclear.

Genetic variability of Triatoma flavida and Triatoma bruneri (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) by RAPD-PCR technique / Variabilidad genética de Triatoma flavida y Triatoma bruneri (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) mediante la técnica de RAPD-PCR

The Triatominae (Hemiptera:Reduviidae) contains the principal and potential Chagas disease vectors present in Mexico, Central America and South America. Triatoma flavida and T. bruneri are Cuban species. These species are closely related according to morphology and were considered synonyms until 1981, when they were separated on the grounds of external characters of the body and the morphology of male genitalia. The present study seeks to analyze genetic polymorphism of T. flavida and T. bruneri populations using RAPD techniques, and to assess the genetic relationship between these species. Ten random primers were used to evaluate the genetic variability among species using RAPD-PCR. The genetic flow among them was calculated. The dendrogram based on calculated Jaccard distances showed two clearly distinguishable clusters which coincided with the studied species. Within each species, moderate genetic differentiation (Fst 0.05-0.15) and migration rates (N > 1) were found among populations, that reveal gene flow and genetic homogeneity. Between species, the Fst value showed a high genetic differentiation and the migration rate was insufficient to maintain genetic homogeneity, and confirmed the absence of gene flow between them. Our results confirm the genetic variability among T. flavida and T. bruneri species.

La subfamilia Triatominae (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) agrupa a los vectores principales y potenciales de la Enfermedad de Chagas, presente en México, Centroamérica y Sudamérica, Triatoma flavida y T. bruneri son especies autóctonas cubanas. Estas especies están muy relacionadas desde el punto de vista morfológico y por ello fueron consideradas sinonimas hasta el 1981, cuando fueron separadas teniendo en cuenta los caracteres externos del cuerpo y la morfología de la genitalia del macho. El presente trabajo pretende confirmar el polimorfismo genético entre las poblaciones selváticas de T. flavida y domiciliadas de T. bruneri utilizando la técnica de RAPD-PCR. Un total de 10 cebadores al azar fueron usados para evaluar la variabilidad genética entre las especies usando la técnica de RAPD-PCR, calculándose el flujo genético entre las especies. El dendrograma obtenido, basado en la distancia genética de Jaccard, mostró dos grupos que coinciden con las especies estudiadas. Dentro de cada especie estudiada se encontró una moderada diferenciación genética (Fst 0.05-015) y tasas de migración (N > 1) que revelan flujo genético y homogeneidad genética. Entre las especies estudiadas los valores de Fst muestran una alta diferenciación genética y tasas de migración insuficientes para mantener homogeneidad genética y confirman la ausencia de flujo genético entre ellas. Estos resultados confirman la variabilidad genética entre ambas especies.

[Amplification at random of the DNA from 5 Cuban populations of larviphage fishes of the Rivulus genus]. / Amplificación al azar del ADN de 5 poblaciones cubanas de peces larvívoros del género Rivulus.

DNA from 10 individuals from 5 populations of Rivulus collected in the western region of Cuba was amplified at random. No monomorphic marker resulted from the amplification by using 5 primers, which showed the high genetic variability existing among the fishes of the 5 populations. According to the genetic distance among the individuals, they were divided into 4 groups, for which there are specific genetic markers of RAPD, since they are not observed in the rest of the subjects. These results support the use of RAPD as an efficient tool for the genetic characterization of Cuban fishes of the Rivulus genus.

Double-stranded RNA viral infection in Cuban Trichomonas vaginalis isolates

Trichomonas vaginalis can be infected with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses designated T. vaginalis virus (TVV), which may have important implications for trichomonal virulence and disease pathogenesis. We tested for TVV in 40 fresh T. vaginalis isolates from Cuban patients by total extraction of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). TVV was detected in 22 (55 percent) of the 40 T. vaginalis isolates. This gives an estimate of the infection rate of Cuban T. vaginalis isolates by the dsRNA virus. Future research should focus on the association between trichomonosis symptoms and the presence of TVV.

Double-stranded RNA viral infection in Cuban Trichomonas vaginalis isolates

Trichomonas vaginalis can be infected with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses designated T. vaginalis virus (TVV), which may have important implications for trichomonal virulence and disease pathogenesis. We tested for TVV in 40 fresh T. vaginalis isolates from Cuban patients by total extraction of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). TVV was detected in 22 (55percent) of the 40 T. vaginalis isolates. This gives an estimate of the infection rate of Cuban T. vaginalis isolates by the dsRNA virus. Future research should focus on the association between trichomonosis symptoms and the presence of TVV(AU)

Trichomonas vaginalis puede estar infectada con double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) designado virus T. vaginalis virus (TVV), que puede tener importantes implicaciones para trichomonal de virulencia y patogénesis de enfermedades. Hemos probado en 40 de TVV fresca T. vaginalis aisladas de pacientes cubanos por el total de la extracción de los ácidos nucleicos (ADN y ARN). TVV se detectó en 22 (55 por ciento) de los 40 aislados de T. vaginalis. Esto da una estimación de la tasa de infección de T. vaginalis aislados de Cuba por el virus de dsRNA. La investigación futura debería centrarse en la asociación entre síntomas y Trichomonosis la presencia de TVV

Optimization of random amplified polymorphic DNA techniques for use in genetic studies of Cuban triatominae

La técnica de ADN polimórfico amplificado al azar (RAPD) es un método simple para detectar el polimorfismo genético del ADN. Diferentes factores afectan los perfiles de amplificación lo que se manifiesta en la presencia de bandas falsas y en la reproducibilidad del ensayo. En nuestro trabajo analizamos los cambios de la concentración de cebador, ADN molde, cloruro de magnesio y de Taq ADN polimerasa con el objetivo de determinar su concentración optima, quedando optimizada la técnica del RAPD para su utilización en estudios genéticos de Triatomíneos cubanos. Empleando una concentración de cebador de 5 pmol, 2.5 mM de MgCl2, 25 ng de ADN molde y 2 U de Taq ADN polimerasa en 25 µL de reacción, se obtuvieron patrones de amplificación reproducibles. Un total de cinco cebadores al azar fueron usados para evaluar la variabilidad genética de T. flavida. Tres de ellos (OPA-1, OPA-2 y OPA-4) produjeron patrones distinguibles y reproducibles de triatomineos. El análisis numérico según la técnica de UPGMA usando el coeficiente de similitud de Jaccard a partir de las 52 bandas de amplificación de RAPD generadas por los cinco cebadores, fue usado en la construcción del dendograma. Se obtuvieron 2 grupos bien definidos según el análisis del RAPD, mostrando concordancia con el origen geográfico, las poblaciones capturadas en áreas del occidente y el oriente de Guanahacabibes, Pinar del Río, respectivamente. T. flavida presentó una baja variabilidad genética inter-poblacional y esto puede resultar en una mayor susceptibilidad al uso de insecticidas en los programas de control. La técnica de RAPD optimizada y los cebadores seleccionados son útiles para la caracterización molecular de Triatomíneos cubanos.

Optimization of random amplified polymorphic DNA techniques for use in genetic studies of Cuban triatominae / s. t

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique is a simple and reliable method to detect DNA polymorphism. Several factors can affect the amplification profiles, thereby causing false bands and non-reproducibility of assay. In this study, we analyzed the effect of changing the concentration of primer, magnesium chloride, template DNA and Taq DNA polymerase with the objective of determining their optimum concentration for the standardization of RAPD technique for genetic studies of Cuban Triatominae. Reproducible amplification patterns were obtained using 5 pmoL of primer, 2,5 mM of MgCl2, 25 ng of template DNA and 2 U of Taq DNA polymerase in 25 µL of the reaction. A panel of five random primers was used to evaluate the genetic variability of T flavida. Three of these (OPA-1, OPA-2 and OPA-4) generated reproducible and distinguishable fingerprinting patterns of Triatominae. Numerical analysis of 52 RAPD amplified bands generated for all five primers was carried out with unweighted pair group method analysis (UPGMA). Jaccard's Similarity Coefficient data were used to construct a dendrogram. Two groups could be distinguished by RAPD data and these groups coincided with geographic origin, i.e. the populations captured in areas from east and west of Guanahacabibes, Pinar del Río. T flavida present low interpopulation variability that could result in greater susceptibility to pesticides in control programs. The RAPD protocol and the selected primers are useful for molecular characterization of Cuban Triatominae(AU)

La técnica de ADN polimórfico amplificado al azar (RAPD) es un método simple para detectar el polimorfismo genético del ADN. Diferentes factores afectan los perfiles de amplificación lo que se manifiesta en la presencia de bandas falsas y en la reproducibilidad del ensayo. En nuestro trabajo analizamos los cambios de la concentración de cebador, ADN molde, cloruro de magnesio y de Taq ADN polimerasa con el objetivo de determinar su concentración optima, quedando optimizada la técnica del RAPD para su utilización en estudios genéticos de Triatomíneos cubanos. Empleando una concentración de cebador de 5 pmol, 2,5 mM de MgCl2, 25 ng de ADN molde y 2 U de Taq ADN polimerasa en 25 µL de reacción, se obtuvieron patrones de amplificación reproducibles. Un total de cinco cebadores al azar fueron usados para evaluar la variabilidad genética de T flavida. Tres de ellos (OPA-1, OPA-2 y OPA-4) produjeron patrones distinguibles y reproducibles de triatomineos. El análisis numérico según la técnica de UPGMA usando el coeficiente de similitud de Jaccard a partir de las 52 bandas de amplificación de RAPD generadas por los cinco cebadores, fue usado en la construcción del dendograma. Se obtuvieron 2 grupos bien definidos según el análisis del RAPD, mostrando concordancia con el origen geográfico, las poblaciones capturadas en áreas del occidente y el oriente de Guanahacabibes, Pinar del Río, respectivamente. T flavida presentó una baja variabilidad genética inter-poblacional y esto puede resultar en una mayor susceptibilidad al uso de insecticidas en los programas de control. La técnica de RAPD optimizada y los cebadores seleccionados son útiles para la caracterización molecular de Triatomíneos cubanos(AU)

Amplificación al azar del ADN de 5 poblaciones cubanas de peces larvívoros del género Rivulus

Se amplificó al azar el ADN de 10 individuos de 5 poblaciones de Rivulus colectados en la región occidental de Cuba. De la amplificación, empleando 5 cebadores, no resultó ningún marcador monomórfico, lo que evidenció una alta variabilidad genética entre los peces de las 5 poblaciones. Según la distancia genética entre los individuos, se forman 4 grupos, para cada uno de los cuales aparecen marcadores genéticos de RAPD (ADN polimórfico amplificado al azar) que son específicos, porque no se evidencian en el resto de los individuos. Estos resultados apoyan la utilización del RAPD como una herramienta eficiente para la caracterización genética de peces cubanos del género Rivulus.

DNA from 10 individuals from 5 populations of Rivulus collected in the western region of Cuba was amplified at random. No monomorphic marker resulted from the amplification by using 5 primers, which showed the high genetic variability existing among the fishes of the 5 populations. According to the genetic distance among the individuals, they were divided into 4 groups, for which there are specific genetic markers of RAPD, since they are not observed in the rest of the subjects. These results support the use of RAPD as an efficient tool for the genetic characterization of Cuban fishes of the Rivulus genus.

Efecto de la digestión en la concentración de inmunoglobulina G en la ingesta de hembras de Boophilus microplus repletas / Effect of digestion on the concentration of immunoglobulins G in the ingesta of engorged females of Boophilus microplus

En el presente trabajo se determinó la concentración de inmunoglobulina G en extractos de intestino de hembras de Boophilus microplus repletas durante los 7 primeros días de la segunda fase de digestión continua, mediante la técnica de inmunodifusión radial simple. Se midió también la concentración de hemoglobina por métodos espectrofotométricos. El análisis de correlación entre ambas variables durante el estudio fue positivo y significativo para p < 0,05. El análisis de varianza simple y la aplicación de la prueba de Duncan resultaron en una disminución significativa de las concentraciones de hemoglobina en el intestino a partir del 5to. dia de estudio, lo cual se relaciona con el comienzo del proceso activo de oviposición; así como una reducción significativa de la concentración de inmunoglobulina a partir del 7mo dia de estudio. Aunque se evidencia la tendencia a la disminución de la concentración de ambas proteínas sanguíneas, no se pudo producir in vitro la proteólisis de la IgG por extractos de intestino