Love in the time of Onchocerca

Roe, Chandler Christian (2023) Love in the time of Onchocerca. Doctoral thesis, Northern Arizona University.

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Abstract

This dissertation investigated the prevalence rate and vector species of the under-studied, vector-borne parasite Onchocerca lupi. It also develops and applies methods that provided the opportunity to conduct whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of this newly emerging cryptic nematode to characterize the genomic diversity in the southwestern United States (U.S.). Chapter One is a review of the literature on elimination campaigns against important and well-studied filarial nematodes infecting humans. It also proposes the necessary steps critical for Onchocerca lupi elimination strategies. Chapter Two details the first large-scale prevalence study of O. lupi in companion animals in an endemic area of the U.S. as well as the discovery and identification of putative vector species in the Southwestern U.S. Chapter Three presents the first complete mitochondrial genome for O. lupi. Chapter Four details the design and validation of a novel, real-time PCR assay for quantifying the host-to-parasite DNA ratio (LupiQuant) from complex onchocercosis samples. This assay utilizes single copy genes from the canine host and O. lupi that were inserted into plasmid constructs, cloned, and serially diluted to serve as gene copy number controls. This chapter also describes the first draft genome of O. lupi. Chapter Five expounds on the methods produced in Chapter Four and provides informed sample selection for WGS of 16 adult worms from the US, Turkey, and Romania. This chapter also defines the genomic diversity of O. lupi and its Wolbachia endosymbiont within the US. More broadly, this dissertation provides the necessary forward momentum toward O. lupi control and eventually, elimination.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Publisher’s Statement:	© Copyright is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.
Keywords:	canine; mitochondrial genomes; Onchocerca lupi; vector; whole-genome sequencing; Vector bome parasite;
Subjects:	Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR180 Immunology
MeSH Subjects:	C Diseases > C03 Parasitic Diseases
NAU Depositing Author Academic Status:	Student
Department/Unit:	Graduate College > Theses and Dissertations College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences > School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems
Date Deposited:	01 Oct 2025 17:49
Last Modified:	01 Oct 2025 17:49
URI:	https://openknowledge.nau.edu/id/eprint/6204

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