Gene knockdown efficiency and <i>A. marginale</i> levels on dsRNA injected ticks after transmission feeding.

<p>(A) The expression of the cytochrome <i>c</i> oxidase sub III (COXIII), glutathione S-transferase (GST), synaptobrevin (SYN), dynein (DYN) and phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate 3-phosphatase (PHOS) genes in guts and salivary glands from dsRNA injected and control ticks (injection of an equal volume of 0.1 mM EDTA) were evaluated by RT-qPCR. The relative expression level of each gene in dsRNA-injected ticks in relation to EDTA-injected ticks (control) was calculated by the Delta Delta Ct method. Threshold values were normalized according to the Ct of the reference gene (tubulin). The data represent the mean ± S.D. of four pools of 5 guts and salivary glands. An asterisk (*) represent data with differences statistically significant with respect to control (<i>P</i>≤0.05). (B) The bacteria number was determined by qPCR using specific primers and a TaqMan probe for <i>msp</i>5 gene.