The Occurrence of Helicosporidium in Freshwater Bodies in South Florida

The Occurrence of Helicosporidium in Freshwater Bodies in South Florida

Helicosporidium is a mosquito pathogen found in most South Florida water ecosystems. It is composed of four cells and related to green algae but is non- photosynthetic. It has been proven to be a vector control agent and has therefore shown the potential to eradicate mosquito-borne diseases. However, barely any biogeographical and ecological data regarding Helicosporidium exists. In order to determine the occurrence of Helicosporidium in environmental freshwater samples, water samples were collected from a local south Florida natural freshwater body. The metagenomic DNA extraction and specific amplification of Helicosporidium 18S rDNA genes using Polymerase Chain Reaction were then performed using the Qiagen PCR purification Kit. The result was viewed using gel electrophoresis in 1% agarose gel. These techniques produced visible bands suggesting the presence of theHelicosporidium gene. The extracted DNA was then amplified using using MGR and MGF primers, which also produced bands, confirming the presence of Helicosporium in the everglades as well as natural lakes.