Publications (2)1.21 Total impact
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Conference Proceeding: SEROPREVALENCY OF HEARTWORM DISEASE (DIROFILARIA IMMITIS) IN THE CANINE POPULATION OF FIGUEIRA DA FOZ, PORTUGAL
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ABSTRACT: CANINE POPULATION OF FIGUEIRA DA FOZ, PORTUGAL Ana Luísa Nobre de Matos Pereira Vieira2,3, Maria João Vieira2,3, João Oliveira2,3, Ana Rita Simões2, Juan Gestal Otero1 1- Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, Santiago de Compostela University, Spain. 2- Clinicão Veterinary Hospital, Figueira da Foz, Portugal 3- EUVG – Vasco da Gama University School of Veterinary Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal. Canine heartworm infection is a parasitary disease caused by the nematode species Dirofilaria immitis1,2. Its presence has been described in Portugal in 1991, but no other studies were published concerning its actual prevalence and distribution1,3. The main goal of the present study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors concerning heartworm disease in dogs from Figueira da Foz, located in central Portugal. In the period between November 2009 and January 2011, 304 blood samples were obtained from dogs over 1 year of age, living in Figueira da Foz, with no previous history of heartworm prevention or diagnosis. A complete record was kept for each dog, including identification (age, sex, breed), clinical history and demographic data. Every blood sample was analyzed using varied laboratory techniques (direct microscopic evaluation of a fresh blood sample, microhematocrit technique, modified Knott technique, ELISA antigen detection test – Idexx Snapp®). In those samples in which microfilaremia was detected, a hystochemical technique using acid phosphatase staining was applied. A total prevalence of 27,3% (CI95% 22,4-32,7) was found. We also found that 74,7% of all the positive cases (62 out of 83) were microfilaremic, and 25,3% were occult infections (21 out of 83). Identification of the microfilariae as Dirofilaria immitis, in microfilaremic infection, was achieved by hystochemical exam using acid phosphatase, which identified this species in 96,4% of the samples. The following risk factors were determined: age between 4 and 9 years of age (37,8%) medium breed dogs (34,7%), dogs living in rural environment (38%), dogs living outdoors (37,7%), watchdogs (52,2%), hunt dogs (36,2%) (p<.05). The logistic regression (STEPWISE method) allowed to identify, in multivariate model, the following risk factor for the presence of heartworm disease: age (OR=1.12; CI95%: 1,02-1,24; p < .05), dogs living in rural environment (OR = 4.81 CI95%: 2.02 – 11.46; p < .001),Medium breed dogs (OR = 2.44; CI95%: 1.03 – 5.81; p < .05) or large breed dogs) (OR = 3.11; CI95%: 1.16 – 8.36; p < .05) and living outdoors (OR = 10.15; CI95%: 3.89 – 26.51; p < .001). Concerning clinical signs, it’s of particular importance that 50% of the dogs were asymptomatic. The most common physical examination findings were low body condition index (38,2%), cardiac auscultation abnormalities (48,8%), cardiac murmur (48,7%), abdominal distention/ascites (48,1%). All of these findings showed a significantly higher prevalence (p<0,05). The results of this study show, for the first time, the high prevalence of heartworm disease in the city of Figueira da Foz, Portugal. This finding emphasizes the importance of systematic screening for this disease, as well as the need to prevent it in every dog living in this geographic area. This Work was suported by FCT (Fundation for Science and Technology, Ministry for Science and Technology and Higher Education) scope of a doctoral scholarship SFRH/BD/64692/2009 Bibliografia: 1 – McCall J., Genchi C., Krames Laura, Guerrero J., Venco L. Heartworm disease in animals and humans. Advances in Parasitology. 2008; 66:193-285. 2 – Manfredi M, Cerbo A., Genchi M. Biology of filarial worms parasitizing dogs and cats. Proceedings of First European Dirofilaria Days. 2007 Fevereiro 22-25; Zagreb, Croatia. 3 – Guerreo J; Ducos de la Hiite J, Genchi C, Rojo F, Gomez-Bautista M, Varela M et al. Update on the distribution of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs from Southern Europe and Latin America. Proceedings of the Heartworm Symposium ‘92. Batavia, IL. American Heartworm Society. 1992 Austin ,Texas.III European Dirofilaria Days - European Dirofilaria Society (EDIS), Parma - Italia; 06/2012 -
Article: Canine parvovirus 2c infection in central Portugal.
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ABSTRACT: Canine parvovirus (CPV) has been evolving, generating new genetic and antigenic variants throughout the world. This study was conducted to determine the types of CPV circulating in dogs in Figueira da Foz, Portugal. Thirty fecal samples, collected between 2006 and 2007 from dogs with clinical signs of CPV infection, were tested for CPV by a rapid, in-clinic, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)/immunomigration test, by conventional real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and by minor-groove binding TaqMan PCR. Of the 29 PCR-positive samples, 15 were identified as CPV-2b and 14 as CPV-2c. No CPV-2a was detected. The sensitivity of the ELISA test was 82.76% compared with the PCR assays. No significant associations were found between CPV type, clinical outcome, breed, vaccination status, or age.Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation: official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc 08/2008; 20(4):488-91. · 1.21 Impact Factor
