Mapping Zika virus disease incidence in Valle del Cauca

Objective

Geographical information systems (GIS) use for development of epidemiological maps in tropical diseases is increasingly frequently utilized. Here, we apply this technique to map the current Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in Colombia.

Methods

Surveillance cases data of the ongoing epidemic of ZIKV in Valle del Cauca department and its capital, Cali (2015–2016), were used to estimate cumulated incidence rates (cases/100,000 population) to develop the first maps in the department and it municipalities. The GIS software used was Kosmo Desktop 3.0RC1^®. Three thematic incidence rate maps were developed.

Results

Up to April 2, 2016, 9,825 cases of ZIKV were reported (15.15 % of the country cases). The burden of ZIKV infection has been concentrated in the North of the department. Valle del Cauca borders with other departments with incidence of ZIKV infection, such as Quindío (173 cases) and Risaralda (687 cases). Eleven municipalities of Valle del Cauca had cases in the range between 250 and 499 cases/100,000, all in the North and East of the department. Cali, the capital concentrates more than a third of the reported cases of ZIKV in Valle del Cauca.

Conclusions

Use of GIS-based epidemiological maps allows to guide decision-making for prevention and control of diseases that constitute significant public health problems in the region and the country, such as exemplified by the emergence of ZIKV infection, particularly in departments such as Valle del Cauca with a high disease incidence.

     

Distribution of Lutzomyia ayacuchensis, the vector of Andean-type cutaneous leishmaniasis,at different altitudes on the Andean slope of Ecuador

Distribution of the vector species is a major risk factor for the endemicity of leishmaniasis. In the present study, the vertical distribution of Lutzomyia (Lu.) ayacuchensis, the vector of Leishmania (Leishmania) mexicana in the Ecuadorian Andes, was surveyed at different altitudes (300–2500 m above sea level) of the Andean slope. The vector species Lu. ayacuchensis was identified at an altitude of 650 m and a higher areas, and higher distribution ratio of the species was observed at higher altitudes. In addition, high ratios of L. (L.) mexicana infection were detected in higher areas, but none in lower populations of sand flies. Since an association between sand fly populations and vector competence is suggested in Lu. ayacuchensis, haplotype analysis was performed on the species from different altitudes of the study areas; however, no apparent difference was observed among populations. These results suggested that Lu. ayacuchensis in Andean slope areas of Ecuador has the potential to transmit L. (L.) mexicana and spread leishmaniasis in these areas.     

Lutzomyia migonei as putative vector of visceral leishmaniasis in La Banda, Argentina

Four autochthonous cases of human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) were reported in La Banda, Santiago del Estero from June 2007 to May 2008. In the vicinity of these cases there were 3/47 rK39 sero-positive dogs, and another 4 dogs with VL were reported by passive surveillance. The sero-positive dogs and infected humans lived within a 3.1 km radius. Phebotomine sand fly captures were performed twice during November/December 2007 and April 2008. In 20 of the 59 sampled sites in the areas of the human and canine cases (220 night/traps) 151 phlebotomine sand flies were collected and consisted of: Lutzomyia migonei 93%, Lutzomyia cortelezzii 5.6% and Lutzomyia neivai 1.4%. We propose that there was an enzootic cycle of VL with accidental human transmission due to L. migonei and suggest that there be a surveillance of human isolated cases of VL within the L. migonei dispersion area.     

First human cases of Leishmania (Viannia) naiffi infection in Ecuador and identification of its suspected vector species

Epidemiological surveillance of leishmaniasis was conducted in a northern Amazonian region of Ecuador, in which cutaneous leishmaniasis cases were recently reported. Sand flies were captured in the military training camp, and the natural infection of sand flies by Leishmania species was examined. Out of 334 female sand flies dissected, the natural infection by flagellates was microscopically detected in 3.9% of Lutzomyia yuilli yuilli and 3.7% of Lutzomyia tortura, and the parasite species were identified as Endotrypanum and Leishmania (Viannia) naiffi, respectively. After the sand fly surveillance, specimens from cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) patients considered to have acquired the infection in the training camp area were obtained, and the infected parasite species were identified as L. (V.) naiffi. The present study reported first cases of CL caused by L. (V.) naiffi infection in Ecuador. In addition, a high ratio of infection of Lu. tortura by L. (V.) naiffi in the same area strongly suggested that Lu. tortura is responsible for the transmission of L. (V.) naiffi in this area.     

Extended FMRFamides in dipteran insects: Conservative expression in the neuroendocrine system is accompanied by rapid sequence evolution

Extended FMRFamides are found throughout the central nervous system (CNS) of insects and exhibit diverse physiological effects on different target organs, such as muscles, intestine, and the nervous system. The genes encoding for extended FMRFamides are known from a number of flies, including Drosophila species, and the pest insects Lucilia cuprina, Calliphora vomitoria, and Musca domestica. No data, however, exist about the expression of the numerous paralogs of the latter three species, and studies on Drosophila melanogaster resulted in controversial findings. We could unambiguously verify, that all predictable products of the extended FMRFamide precursor are expressed in neurohemal tissues of the thoracic neuromers of these flies and can easily be identified and also sequenced by using single specimens. In addition to the confirmation of extended FMRFamides in species with known precursor sequences, the current knowledge about homologous peptides of Sarcophaga (=Neobellieria) bullata could be extended by de novo sequencing using tandem mass spectrometry. The most intriguing finding in this study was the detection of an internal gene duplication, followed by an amino acid substitution, in an insecticide-resistant strain of L. cuprina. To our knowledge, this is the first detection of such an intraspecific event and confirms the low conservation of the extended FMRFamide gene sequences. In insects, no other neuropeptide family is known that shows such sequence variability between related species.     

Taxonomic assessment of Anopheles crawfordi and An. dangi of the Hyrcanus Group of subgenus Anopheles in Vietnam

Anopheles dangi, introduced as a new species of the Hyrcanus Group of subgenus Anopheles in an illustrated dichotomous key for the identification of the Anopheles mosquitoes of Vietnam published in 1987, was distinguished from Anopheles crawfordi based on the presence of a humeral pale spot on the base of the costal vein of the wing. However, this character has been known to occur occasionally in An. crawfordi. To determine whether An. dangi is distinct from An. crawfordi, we analyzed nucleotide sequences of the COI, COII and Cyt-b genes of mtDNA and the D3 gene of rDNA obtained from specimens collected in south-central Vietnam that were identified as An. dangi and An. crawfordi based on the presence or absence, respectively, of a humeral pale spot. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses of the sequences showed a low mean genetic distance of 0.004 for specimens identified as An. crawfordi and 0.008 for those identified as An. dangi. The mean genetic distance between the two nominal species was 0.006, compared with 0.077 for any group versus the outgroup taxa Anopheles dirus and Anopheles minimus, and the specimens of the two forms clustered in a single strongly supported clade. Consequently, An. dangi is merely a morphological variant of An. crawfordi and is deemed to be a synonym of that nominal species.     

Predicted altitudinal shifts and reduced spatial distribution of Leishmania infantum vector species under climate change scenarios in Colombia

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by the trypanosomatid parasite Leishmania infantum (=Leishmania chagasi), and is epidemiologically relevant due to its wide geographic distribution, the number of annual cases reported and the increase in its co-infection with HIV. Two vector species have been incriminated in the Americas: Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lutzomyia evansi. In Colombia, L. longipalpis is distributed along the Magdalena River Valley while L. evansi is only found in the northern part of the Country. Regarding the epidemiology of the disease, in Colombia the incidence of VL has decreased over the last few years without any intervention being implemented. Additionally, changes in transmission cycles have been reported with urban transmission occurring in the Caribbean Coast. In Europe and North America climate change seems to be driving a latitudinal shift of leishmaniasis transmission. Here, we explored the spatial distribution of the two known vector species of L. infantum in Colombia and projected its future distribution into climate change scenarios to establish the expansion potential of the disease. An updated database including L. longipalpis and L. evansi collection records from Colombia was compiled. Ecological niche models were performed for each species using the Maxent software and 13 Worldclim bioclimatic coverages. Projections were made for the pessimistic CSIRO A2 scenario, which predicts the higher increase in temperature due to non-emission reduction, and the optimistic Hadley B2 Scenario predicting the minimum increase in temperature. The database contained 23 records for L. evansi and 39 records for L. longipalpis, distributed along the Magdalena River Valley and the Caribbean Coast, where the potential distribution areas of both species were also predicted by Maxent. Climate change projections showed a general overall reduction in the spatial distribution of the two vector species, promoting a shift in altitudinal distribution for L. longipalpis and confining L. evansi to certain regions in the Caribbean Coast. Altitudinal shifts have been reported for cutaneous leishmaniasis vectors in Colombia and Peru. Here, we predict the same outcome for VL vectors in Colombia. Changes in spatial distribution patterns could be affecting local abundances due to climatic pressures on vector populations thus reducing the incidence of human cases.     

子一代实验室钉螺细胞色素c氧化酶I、细胞色素b基因序列分析

目的　了解钉螺子一代(F1)实验室钉螺群(湖北钉螺湖北亚种)内的遗传变异。　方法　实验室饲养的F1钉螺,单个抽提基因组DNA,PCR扩增细胞色素c氧化酶I(COI)、细胞色素b(Cytb)基因并测序,用GENETYX MACver.9软件进行同源排序、DNA和氨基酸序列分析,同时与GenBank相同基因序列比较。　结果　实验室螺群内,COI基因差异为12.2%,94个氨基酸发生变化。Cytb基因差异6.4%,有25个氨基酸发生变化。湖北亚种与滇川亚种COI基因序列差异率为 13 .5 %。与GenBank中湖北钉螺滇川亚种Cytb基因序列比较 ,差异为 13 .6% ,在 2 0 3个氨基酸中 6个氨基酸发生变化。　结论　F1实验室钉螺群内核苷酸与氨基酸序列均发生变异。     

Expression profiles of Dax1, Dmrt1, and Sox9 during temperature sex determination in gonads of the sea turtle Lepidochelys olivacea

Sex determination is controlled either by genetic or environmental factors. In mammals Sry initiates determination but no homologue of this gene exists in non-mammalian species. Other genes of the mammalian sex-determining pathway have been identified in gonads of different vertebrates. Sox9, Dax1, and Dmrt1 are expressed at the onset of gonadal development in birds and reptiles. In the sea turtle Lepidochelys olivacea, a species with temperature sex determination (TSD), Sox9 is expressed in undifferentiated gonads at male- (MPT) or female-promoting temperatures (FPT). At MPT, Sox9 remains expressed in male gonads, but at FPT it is downregulated coinciding with the onset of the ovarian morphologic differentiation and female sex determination. At MPT however, male sex is determined early than at FPT in still undifferentiated gonads suggesting that other genes maintain Sox9 expression in testis. Here we used RT-PCR to study the expression profiles of Dax1, Dmrt1, and Sox9 in gonads of embryos of L. olivacea incubated at MPT or at FPT. The profiles were correlated with sex determination during and after the temperature-sensitive period (TSP). Dax1 maintained similar levels at both temperatures during the TSP. The Dax1 expression level increased significantly in ovaries compared to testes at stage 27, once they were morphologically distinct. The expression levels of Dmrt1 were higher at MPT than at FPT at all stages, in contrast with Sox9 levels which were similar at both temperatures at stages 23-25. Together, current results suggest that, whereas Dax1 is not involved in TSD in L. olivacea, upregulation of Dmrt1 and downregulation of Sox9 may play a role in male and female sex determination, respectively.     

Ecology of sand flies in a low-density residential rural area,with mixed forest/agricultural exploitation,in north-eastern Brazil

Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania braziliensis is endemic in Brazil, where Lutzomyia whitmani is the most important vector involved in the transmission to humans, particularly in the peridomestic environment. Herein, we assessed the ecology of sand flies, including Lu. whitmani, in a low-density residential rural area with mixed forest/agricultural exploitation in north-eastern Brazil, where cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic. Particularly, we hypothesized that sand fly abundance was correlated with climatic variables. Sand fly collections were carried out monthly from August 2013 to August 2014, using seven CDC light traps, for three consecutive nights, in three kinds of environments: indoor, peridomicile and forest. Collected sand flies were identified based on morphology and females of Lu. whitmani (n = 169), Lu. amazonensis (n = 134) and Lu. complexa (n = 21) were selected and tested by PCR for Leishmania (Viannia) spp. In total, 5167 sand flies belonging to 19 species were identified, being that Lu. choti (43.2%) was the most frequent species, followed by Lu. amazonensis (16.6%), Lu. whitmani (15.8%), Lu. sordellii (10.7%) and Lu. quinquefer (5.8%), which together represented over 90% of the collected sand flies. All females tested by PCR were negative. The number of sand flies collected daily was positively correlated with temperature and negatively correlated with rainfall and relative humidity. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between daily number of sand flies and daily average saturation deficit. This study points out that the number of sand flies captured daily is correlated to climatic variables, including saturation deficit, which may represent a useful parameter for monitoring sand fly populations in leishmaniasis-endemic areas.     

Phylogeny of dengue virus type 3 circulating in Colombia between 2001 and 2007

Dengue virus type 3 (DENV-3) re-appeared in Colombia in 2001 after 23 years of apparent absence, in the state of Santander in the North-eastern region near to Venezuelan border. In 2002, the virus was isolated in the state of Valle del Cauca in the South-east region near to Ecuadorian/Peruvian border, and in the state of Antioquia in the North-east region near to Panama border. To gain insight into the molecular epidemiology of DENV-3 in Colombia, we sequenced the complete E gene of 21 isolates sampled in the period 2001–2007. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that Colombian strains seem to have been introduced from Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru, but not from Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay or Central America countries. This study also confirms previous report showing that Colombian isolates is closely related to DENV-3 genotype III.     

Functional genetic screening reveals the role of mitochondrial cytochrome b as a mediator of FAS-induced apoptosis

Functional selection of genetic suppressor elements (GSEs), engineered gene fragments that interfere with the function of a particular gene product, was used to identify regulators of FAS-induced apoptosis. Chicken DF-1 cells expressing human FAS receptor and susceptible to FAS-induced apoptosis were infected with a GSE library consisting of randomly fragmented normalized chicken cDNAs in a replication-competent avian retroviral vector. Virus-producing cells were subjected to several rounds of selection using FAS agonistic antibodies, resulting in isolation of a set of GSEs conferring resistance to FAS-induced apoptosis. Surprisingly, one of the isolated GSEs encoded a 42 amino acid-long polypeptide derived from the C-terminal half of cytochrome b (Cyt b) encoded by the mitochondrial genome. Subsequent experiments showed that caspase 8-dependent cleavage of mitochondrial Cyt b and translocation of its C-terminal half into the cytoplasm occurred during FAS-induced apoptosis in both chicken and human cells. Ectopic cytoplasmic expression of either full-length Cyt b or its C-terminal half in several human cell lines induced apoptosis, which could be suppressed by the isolated GSE, but not by Bcl2 over-expression or Apaf-1 or cytochrome c knock-down. These results reveal a cytochrome c-independent branch of FAS-induced apoptosis involving cleavage and cytoplasmic release of mitochondrial Cyt b.     

Detection of natural infection in Lutzomyia cruzi and Lutzomyia forattinii (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) by Leishmania infantum chagasi in an endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil using a PCR multiplex assay

In order to identify Lutzomyia spp. naturally infected by Leishmania parasites a PCR multiplex assay coupled to non-isotopic hybridization was used for the analysis of insect samples collected by CDC light traps in an endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the municipality of Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil in May/June 2006. Wild sand flies were identified and grouped into pools of 10 female specimens and 27 groups in total were collected. Positive results were obtained from Lutzomyia cruzi (2 out of 13 pools) and Lutzomyia forattinii (1 out of 14 pools). The positive pools were confirmed as being infected by Leishmania infantum chagasi after hybridizing the PCR products with a species-specific biotinylated probe derived from the kinetoplast minicircle conserved sequence. Given that we detected infection in 3 out of 27 groups and that there was at least 1 infected insect in each, it was possible to infer an infection rate of 1.5% for Lu. cruzi and 0.7% for Lu. forattinii in the analyzed samples. These results confirm the vectorial role of Lu. cruzi in transmitting L. infantum chagasi and suggest Lu. forattinii as a potential VL vector in the municipality of Corumbá, where notifications of the disease in humans and dogs have increased over the last two decades.     

Trypanosoma rangeli isolates of bats from Central Brazil: Genotyping and phylogenetic analysis enable description of a new lineage using spliced-leader gene sequences

Trypanosoma rangeli infects several mammalian orders but has never confidently been described in Chiroptera, which are commonly parasitized by many trypanosome species. Here, we described trypanosomes from bats captured in Central Brazil identified as T. rangeli, T. dionisii, T. cruzimarinkellei and T. cruzi. Two isolates, Tra643 from Platyrrhinus lineatus and Tra1719 from Artibeus planirostris were identified as T. rangeli by morphological, biological and molecular methods, and confirmed by phylogenetic analyses. Analysis using SSU rDNA sequences clustered these bat trypanosomes together with T. rangeli from other hosts, and separated them from other trypanosomes from bats. Genotyping based on length and sequence polymorphism of PCR-amplified intergenic spliced-leader gene sequences assigned Tra1719 to the lineage A whereas Tra643 was shown to be a new genotype and was assigned to the new lineage E. To our knowledge, these two isolates are the earliest T. rangeli from bats and the first isolates from Central Brazil molecularly characterized. Rhodnius stali captured for this study was found infected by T. rangeli and T. cruzi.     

Epidemiological aspects of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Iguazú falls area of Argentina

Over the last three decades the incidence of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) has increased sharply in Argentina and throughout the world. In the Iguazú Falls area, on the border between Brazil and Paraguay, the incidence of human ACL has risen since 2004. Most of the 36 cases of human ACL reported until 2005 have involved males over 15 years old (75%) infected during deforestation to establish individual farms. Captures carried out in primary forest, periurban areas, and deforested land sites yielded 18,438 sand flies belonging to 13 species; the most prevalent species were Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) whitmani (87.4%) and Lutzomyia (Mygonemyia.) migonei (7.6%). Cluster analysis was used to group traps according to species and abundance of sand flies. The group of traps located in recently deforested places, in pig and chicken dwellings of houses where ACL cases had been reported in the past, and at one house with an active ACL case, had the highest abundance of Lu. whitmani and Lu. whitmani + Lu. migonei as well as the highest ratio of Lu. whitmani/Lu. migonei. Leishmania sp. infections, both in Lu. whitmani, in Lu. quinquefer, and in smears from human cases were detected by DNA kinetoplast amplification using a generic PCR protocol. The risk of ACL outbreak in the Iguazú Falls area is still associated with economic and leisure activities in primary-secondary forest, including deforestation, rural settlements, fishing, hunting, and ecotourism. In addition, the risk of periurban transmission seems likely, and this is discussed within the framework of surveillance and prevention strategies.     

Genetic structure of natural populations of the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) from the Brazilian northeastern region

In Latin America, Lutzomyia longipalpis is the principal vector of Leishmania chagasi, and is associated with the majority of active foci of visceral leishmaniasis. In spite of the fact that this sand fly is spread practically throughout the entire Neotropical Region, its distribution is not uniform due to geographic and environmental barriers. Geographic isolation coupled with reduced flight abilities may contribute to the appearance of cryptic species of Lutzomyia longipalpis, which may differ in their capacity to transmit L. chagasi. In this work, we describe the genetic structuring patterns based on polymorphism analysis of 24 RAPD-PCR loci of 7 natural populations of Lutzomyia longipalpis obtained from Brazil's northeastern region. The estimated degree of genetic differentiation between populations, based on the population subdivision index theta(ST) (0.136), suggests a moderate degree of genetic structuring as a result of geographical isolation and restricted gene flow. Genetic distances were found to be compatible with those found between members of a single species, suggesting a taxonomic uniformity of Lutzomyia longipalpis in the region studied.     

Observations on the feeding habits of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in Campo Grande, an endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Sand flies were captured weekly with CDC light traps from December 2003 to November 2005 in three areas of Campo Grande, in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul. These areas incorporated two patches of remnant forest and five houses. The blood meals of engorged female sand flies were identified using the avidin-biotin system of immunoenzymatic ELISA capture. Most (327/355) of the females analysed were Lutzomyia longipalpis, of which 66.4% reacted with human blood, 64.8% with that of birds and 8.9% with that of dogs. Females that had taken human blood predominated in the residential areas and two forest patches. The following combinations of blood were also detected for L. longipalpis in some of the samples analysed: bird + human (43.4%), bird + human + dog (6.1%). The combination bird + human + dog + pig was also found for Nyssomyia whitmani. Dogs and pigs appear to have little attractiveness for L. longipalpis. The results obtained demonstrate the eclecticism and high anthropophily of L. longipalpis and raise new questions with regard to the importance of dogs in VL epidemiology and the possible role of man as a source of infection for sand flies.     

Comparative vectorial efficiency of Lutzomyia evansi and Lu. longipalpis for transmitting Leishmania chagasi

The infection rates and development of Leishmania chagasi in two sandfly species, Lutzomyia evansi and Lutzomyia longipalpis, were evaluated under natural and experimental conditions. Natural infection rates of Lu. evansi in San Andrés de Sotavento (Colombia) and Monta?as de Peraza (Venezuela) (0.05 and 0.2%, respectively) were similar to those previously recorded for this species in Colombia and Venezuela and for Lu. longipalpis in many foci of American Visceral Leishmaniasis (AVL). Both sand fly species were able to support the development of two Colombian strains of L. chagasi experimentally acquired from dogs, hamsters or membrane feeders. However, the experimental infection rates and the sequence of parasite development in the guts of these sand flies revealed that parasite colonisation, differentiation, migration and attachment were more frequent and uniform in Lu. longipalpis than in Lu. evansi. This is consistent with a more recent association between L. chagasi and Lu. evansi, and these results might help to explain the irregularity of AVL outbreaks in foci where Lu. evansi has been reported as the sole vector.     

The significance of cagA(+) Helicobacter pylori in reflux oesophagitis

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori is a gastroduodenal pathogen associated with ulceration, dyspepsia, and adenocarcinoma. Recent preliminary studies have suggested that H pylori may be protective for oesophageal adenocarcinoma. In addition, strains of H pylori identified by the presence of the cytotoxin associated gene A (cagA) are shown to have a significant inverse association with oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Given that cagA(+) H pylori may protect against oesophageal carcinoma, these strains may be protective for oesophagitis, a precursor of oesophageal carcinoma. AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between cagA(+) H pylori and endoscopically proved oesophagitis. PATIENTS: The study group included 1486 patients attending for routine upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy. METHODS: At endoscopy the oesophagus was assessed for evidence of reflux disease and graded according to standard protocols. Culture and histology of gastric biopsy specimens determined H pylori status. The prevalence of cagA was identified by an antibody specific ELISA (Viva Diagnostika, Germany). RESULTS: H pylori was present in 663/1485 (45%) patients and in 120/312 (38%) patients with oesophagitis. Anti-CagA antibody was found in 499/640 (78%) H pylori positive patients. Similarly, anti-CagA antibody was found in 422/521 (81%) patients with a normal oesophagus and in 42/60 (70%) with mild, 24/35 (69%) with moderate, and 11/24 (46%) with severe oesophagitis. The risk of severe oesophagitis was significantly decreased for patients infected with cagA(+) H pylori after correction for confounding variables (odds ratio 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.41-0.80; p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that infection by cagA(+) H pylori may be protective for oesophageal disease.     

Molecular evolution of adiponectin in Carnivora and its mRNA expression in relation to hepatic lipidosis

Adiponectin is a novel adipocyte-derived hormone with low circulating concentrations and/or mRNA expression in obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The adiponectin mRNA of several Carnivora species was sequenced to enable further gene expression studies in this clade with potential experimental species to examine the connections of hypoadiponectinemia to hepatic lipidosis. In addition, adiponectin mRNA expression was studied in the retroperitoneal fat of the American mink (Neovison vison), as hepatic lipidosis with close similarities to NAFLD can be rapidly induced to the species by fasting. The mRNA expression was determined after overnight-7 d of food deprivation and 28 d of re-feeding and correlated to the liver fat %. The homologies between the determined carnivoran mRNA sequences and that of the domestic dog were 92.2-99.1%. As the mRNA expression was not affected by short-term fasting and did not correlate with the liver fat %, there seems to be no clear connection between adiponectin and the development of lipidosis in the American mink. In the future, the obtained sequences can be utilized in further studies of adiponectin expression in comparative endocrinology.