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Prevalence of the Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs from Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection, and to examine the relationship between host factors (gender, age and breed) and D. immitis infection in dogs. The study was designed as a cross-sectional study. A total of 676 dogs were examined for D. immitis infection. Adult worms (necropsy) and blood samples were collected from all animals for diagnosis of D. immitis. Blood samples were examined using a modified Knott's and thick drop techniques. Fifty-six of 676 dogs were diagnosed infected with D. immitis. The odds of infection were 2.85 times higher in female dogs, compared to male dogs (OR = 2.85, 95% CI = 1.5-5.5, P = 0.01). In addition, the odds of infection were 2.11 times higher in > or =3 years old dogs, compared with younger dogs (OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.1-4.2, P = 0.03). This information is important for a better understanding of the epidemiology of D. immitis in dogs in Yucatan, Mexico.
... The disease caused by D. immitis, known as dirofilariasis, is recognized as a significant animal health problem due to its high prevalence and incidence rates in domiciliated dogs from endemic areas (Bolio-González et al., 2007;Caro-González et al., 2020). Likewise, in some countries in the Americas and Europe, clinical cases have been reported in people with lung conditions, so pulmonary dirofilariasis is cataloged as a disease potentially emerging due to the wide distribution of the biological vectors. ...
... Additionally, in the Americas, the generated sequence in this study is the first sequence of D. immitis for this mammal host. In Yucatán, D. immitis infects actively and frequently domiciled dogs from urban and rural sites (Bolio-González et al., 2007;Caro-González et al., 2020). This epidemiological aspect is relevant because the natural infection in domiciliated dogs has been related to D. immitis transmission towards medium-sized carnivore mammals such as coatis (Nasua sp.) since, eventually, both populations of animals have accidental contact. ...
This paper aims to describe the natural infection with Dirofilaria immitis in Nasua narica (white-nosed coati) from Yucatán, Mexico. Two carcasses of N. narica were collected on a highway that crosses through a dense forest with patches used for agriculture and livestock activities. We performed necropsies, and two female adult nematode parasites from the heart of one specimen were collected and preserved for their molecular identification using a conventional PCR directed at a fragment of the small subunit (18S) ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene. Bioinformatic analysis showed a similarity of 99 % with three sequences from D. immitis (two from Japan). Additionally, we performed a phylogenetic tree with the recovered sequence. All these analyses showed that D. immitis is present in N. narica from Mexico. The transmission of D. immitis toward populations of Nasua sp. may be due to indirect and accidental contact with domestic dogs or wild canids that share the same environment.
... Lyme borreliosis is endemic in temperate and cold climates where the Ixodes vector ticks are prevalent, whereas hot climates like in Mexico is less suitable for Ixodes spp.Regarding D. immitis, northwestern, northeastern, eastern, and southeastern regions presented higher seroprevalence than the other regions. Another study performed in the Yucatán Peninsula, in the southeastern region, determined a prevalence of 8.3% for D. immitis(Bolio- Gonzalez et al., 2007), like the 7.9% reported byMovilla et al. (2016) for the southeastern region and the 10.9% from the present study. When analyzing the data at a state level, this study found that the six Atlantic states averaged 15.6% of positive tests to D. immitis, much higher than the average of 1.0% from the other 16 states. ...
... Bolio-Gonzalez et al., 2007; Caro-Gonzalez et al., 2011; Movilla et al., 2016; Torres-Chable et al., 2018). ...
This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and geographical distribution of Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi and Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in Mexico, including owned dogs from veterinary clinics with regular medical care and shelter dogs. The Mexican territory was divided into eight geographical regions; 22 out of 32 states were included; 110 veterinary clinics and 53 dog shelters participated. SNAP® 4Dx Plus® (IDEXX® Laboratories) was used to detect antibodies against Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi and Dirofilaria immitis antigens. A total of 3522 apparently healthy dogs were tested, 1648 from clinics and 1874 from shelters. The highest seroprevalence of infection/exposure was found for Ehrlichia spp. (30.9%), followed by Anaplasma spp. (14.6%), D. immitis (5.3%) and B. burgdorferi (0.1%). Significantly more positive dogs were older than 3 years. Regarding differences between facility types, there were only differences for D. immitis which was more prevalent in clinics than in shelters (OR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.45–2.69; P < 0.0001). Co-infections were detected in 38.4% of the positive samples. Dogs from Mexican states located on the Atlantic and the Pacific coast were significantly more at risk for Ehrlichia spp. and Anaplasma spp. infections than dogs from interior states. Dogs in Atlantic coastal states were more at risk for Dirofilaria immitis infection.
... Lyme borreliosis is endemic in temperate and cold climates where the Ixodes vector ticks are prevalent, whereas hot climates like in Mexico is less suitable for Ixodes spp.Regarding D. immitis, northwestern, northeastern, eastern, and southeastern regions presented higher seroprevalence than the other regions. Another study performed in the Yucatán Peninsula, in the southeastern region, determined a prevalence of 8.3% for D. immitis(Bolio- Gonzalez et al., 2007), like the 7.9% reported byMovilla et al. (2016) for the southeastern region and the 10.9% from the present study. When analyzing the data at a state level, this study found that the six Atlantic states averaged 15.6% of positive tests to D. immitis, much higher than the average of 1.0% from the other 16 states. ...
... Bolio-Gonzalez et al., 2007; Caro-Gonzalez et al., 2011; Movilla et al., 2016; Torres-Chable et al., 2018). ...
... Dirofilariasis is a parasitic disease caused by filarial worm Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy 1856), also known as the heartworm (Bolio-Gonzalez et al. 2007), affecting mainly domestic and wild canids (Batista et al. 2008). Humans and felines, which may be accidental hosts, are more susceptible to infection in areas with high prevalence of the canine disease (Garcez et al. 2006, Mirahmadi et al. 2017, which is distributed all over the globe (Bolio-Gonzalez et al. 2007, Bowman & Atkins 2009, Hou et al. 2011, Simsek et al. 2011, Montoya-Alonso et al. 2015, Bendas et al. 2017. ...
... Dirofilariasis is a parasitic disease caused by filarial worm Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy 1856), also known as the heartworm (Bolio-Gonzalez et al. 2007), affecting mainly domestic and wild canids (Batista et al. 2008). Humans and felines, which may be accidental hosts, are more susceptible to infection in areas with high prevalence of the canine disease (Garcez et al. 2006, Mirahmadi et al. 2017, which is distributed all over the globe (Bolio-Gonzalez et al. 2007, Bowman & Atkins 2009, Hou et al. 2011, Simsek et al. 2011, Montoya-Alonso et al. 2015, Bendas et al. 2017. It has been found in every geographical region of Brazil, with prevalence rates over the last decade ranging from 2.1% in Florianópolis, in the Southern state of Santa Catarina (SC), to 62.2% in Armação de Búzios, in the Southeastern state of Rio de Janeiro (RJ) (Silva et al. 2008, 511 Pesq. ...
Dirofilaria immitis, a parasite that mainly infects domestic or wild canids, but can infect
felines or humans as well, is frequent in many Brazilian areas. The main objective of this
research was to determine the prevalence of natural canine infection at the Algodoal-Maiandeua Island complex, in the coastal region of the state of Pará, Brazil. A total of 67 dogs were sampled for blood microfilariae detection and for D. immitis DNA detection. Microfilaria and D. immitis DNA could be detected in 35.8% (24/67) of the animals. In one dog’s sample no microfilariae were detected, but the PCR was positive, suggesting that either larvae recently were eliminated or adults died shortly before sample collecting. Therefore, it can be concluded that the occurrence of D. immitis is a health threat for domestic and wild canids at the Island of Algodoal, as well as for feline or human health.
... No infection differences were observed in relation to gender (X 2 Yates's correction=0.341; p=0.559), corrobo- rating Song et al. (2003), Montoya et al. (2006, and Boonyapakorn et al. (2008), but on the other hand differing from Gonzalez et al. (2007), who observed high infection among females, while Montoya et al. (1998) reported a higher proportion of infection in males. The majority of dogs on Marajo Island consists of young animals due to the systematic elimination of dogs with visceral leishmaniasis, despite the fact that adult dogs, aged 4 years or older, presented significantly higher filarial positivity (X 2 = 32.943; ...
... This fact can be explained by the biological features of the filarial infections , i.e., chronicity, long-lasting worm life spans, among other factors. Similar results were also outlined by Montoya et al. (1998), Song et al. (2003), Montoya et al. (2006, Gonzalez et al. (2007), and Boonyapakorn et al. (2008), although Oge et al. (2003 did not find any significant association between gender, age, and infection by D. immitis. An elevated percentage of occult filarial infection in dogs was also reported by Rawlings et al. (1982), Grieve et al. (1986), Reifur et al. (2004), and Yildirim et al. (2007, and also by Labarthe et al. (1997) in cats, while Tasić et al. (2008) detected a low rate of occult infection in Serbia. ...
Canine filariasis in domestic and wild dogs, foxes, and wolves is caused by several species of filarids. Although these filarial species inhabit different loci in the vertebrate definitive hosts, they generally release microfilariae into the bloodstream. Data about filarial infection in dogs in Brazil, especially on the Marajo Island, is scarce. For this reason, we conducted an analysis of 188 domestic dogs within two Marajo Island municipalities. The overall prevalence of microfilaremic was 32.45%; taken by blood smear and modified Knott’s method. No significant difference of positivity between male and female was observed (X
2 Yates’s correction = 0.341; p = 0.559). Significant age–infection ratios were detected (X
2 = 32.943; p < 0.0001). A high occult infection was detected (53.84%). PCR of rDNA and phylogenetic tree indicated that the microfilariae and adult worms found in domestic dogs from Marajo Island were Dirofilaria immitis.
... Heartworm prevalence and distribution are better known for dogs. Generally, when dogs are living in high endemic areas, no differences in prevalence are found between sexes, breed, length of hair coat and activity (working dogs vs pet dogs), while the size, the age and the inside/outside habitation are critical, as the risk of infection is significantly higher for large-sized dogs (which are more attractive to mosquitoes), for dogs older than 3 years and for dogs living outdoors (Bolio-Gonzalez et al., 2007;202 John W. McCall et al. Genchi et al., 1988, 1993. ...
... The highest rates of infection were among dogs from cities located along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. A more recent study in Meridia, Yucatan, confirmed the national prevalence (8.3%) (Bolio-Gonzalez et al., 2007), though in coastal areas the prevalence is higher (19.6%) (Labarthe and Guerrero, 2005). ...
Heartworm disease due to Dirofilaria immitis continues to cause severe disease and even death in dogs and other animals in many parts of the world, even though safe, highly effective and convenient preventatives have been available for the past two decades. Moreover, the parasite and vector mosquitoes continue to spread into areas where they have not been reported previously. Heartworm societies have been established in the USA and Japan and the First European Dirofilaria Days (FEDD) Conference was held in Zagreb, Croatia, in February of 2007. These organizations promote awareness, encourage research and provide updated guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of heartworm disease. The chapter begins with a review of the biology and life cycle of the parasite. It continues with the prevalence and distribution of the disease in domestic and wild animals, with emphasis on more recent data on the spreading of the disease and the use of molecular biology techniques in vector studies. The section on pathogenesis and immunology also includes a discussion of the current knowledge of the potential role of the Wolbachia endosymbiont in inflammatory and immune responses to D. immitis infection, diagnostic use of specific immune responses to the bacteria, immunomodulatory activity and antibiotic treatment of infected animals. Canine, feline and ferret heartworm disease are updated with regard to the clinical presentation, diagnosis, prevention, therapy and management of the disease, with special emphasis on the recently described Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease (HARD) Syndrome in cats. The section devoted to heartworm infection in humans also includes notes on other epizootic filariae, particularly D. repens in humans in Europe. The chapter concludes with a discussion on emerging strategies in heartworm treatment and control, highlighting the potential role of tetracycline antibiotics in adulticidal therapy.
... Toxocara canis and Ancylostoma spp., as well as other parasitic species in dogs, have been previously reported in Mexico 5 ,6 ,7 ,8 ,9 ,10 ,11 ,12 ,13 (Table 1). Parasitic ...
Diagnosis of canine parasites with zoonotic potential such as Toxocara canis and Ancylostoma caninum under field conditions is usually difficult due to limited access to a laboratory in rural and suburban areas in Mexico. This study aimed to detect T. canis and Ancylostoma spp. in fecal samples collected from dogs in Mexico from 2017 to 2021 under field conditions. Sample size calculation resulted in a target enrollment of 534 dogs across the country. Samples were collected directly from the rectum or the ground after defecation. Samples were stored in individual, tightly sealed, plastic bags at 4 °C. A saturated solution of sodium chloride (specific gravity [SpG] 1.20) was prepared both under field and laboratory conditions. Within 3 days of collection, 2-4 g of feces were tested for parasites using a flotation method by suspending each fecal sample in a saline solution. Feces were mixed with the flotation solution and crushed using a metal spoon. Once a uniform consistency was achieved, the fecal sample was poured into a new plastic cup using a sieve and allowed to sit for 10-15 min. Three drops from the top of the mixture were collected using a sterilized inoculating loop. The slides were placed on the microscope and parasites were identified by trained parasitologists. Fecal samples from 1,055 dogs were screened microscopically. The number of positive samples for Ancylostoma spp. was 833 (78.95% frequency) and 222 (21.04%) for T. canis. These findings illustrate the importance of identifying zoonotic helminths in dogs living in urban and rural areas in Mexico using a coproparasitoscopic technique in the laboratory and under field conditions.
... hemácias, classificados como piroplasma eritrocitário intracelular, pois se localizam na parte interna das hemácias, costuma apresentar-se como trofozoítos em pares, podendo ser tanto encontrado livre no plasma ou no interior de leucócitos através de hemácias fagocitadas. (ETTINGER, 2004;FONSECA et al., 2010;MARQUES, 2014 GONZALES et al., 2007;MATTOS et al., 2008;LAN et al., 2012). O Brasil, dentre os países da América Latina apresenta o maior número de pesquisas sobre a prevalência da dirofilariose, pesquisas realizadas apontam que as áreas costeiras apresentam os maiores casos, contudo, a doença igualmente pode incidir em áreas distantes do litoral (GARCEZ et al., 2006;VEZANNI et al., 2011). ...
É inegável admitir que a presença de pets no lar das pessoas aumentou consideravelmente, sobretudo, em virtude de que estudos científicos apontam que esses animais domésticos são capazes de trazer inúmeros benefícios, não apenas para as pessoas como para os animais. Assim, o presente estudo tem como principal objetivo analisar a ocorrência de hemoparasitas transmitidas pelas pulgas, carrapatos, mosquitos dos gêneros Aedes, Anopheles e Culex, bem como pelo vetor do Trypanosoma cruzi, em cães e gatos. Logo, a problemática da pesquisa se resume no questionamento: qual a principal maneira de reduzir ou minimizar os piores efeitos que os hemoparasitas podem trazer para a saúde dos pets domésticos? Buscando resposta a essa problemática, o estudo se fundamenta na pesquisa bibliográfica em diversas fontes primárias e secundárias, bem como, na pesquisa de campo para coletar dados e analisá-los pelo método do esfregaço sanguíneo em animais distribuídos pela região do Vale do Jamari, selecionados aleatoriamente nos meses de agosto e setembro de 2022. Com os dados analisados permitiram dizer que os achados não são preocupantes, mas possibilita ter uma visão mais apurada das hemoparasitoses mais prevalentes e assim, traçar um monitoramento mais eficaz no combate e, porque não dizer na erradicação dos vetores transmissores das doenças.
... In this study, the overall prevalence of D. immitis was 6.3% in shelter dogs by blood smears and modified Knott's test. Similar results were reported in dogs from Bucaramanga with 5.12% (Esteban-Mendoza et al., 2020), in shelter dogs from the United States (4.2%), Brazil (3.5%, 11.54%), and Mexico (8.3%) (Pandey et al., 1987;Reifur et al., 2004;Bolio-Gonzalez et al., 2007;Ramos et al., 2016). The results obtained in this study differ with those reported by Donnett et al. (2018) in stray dogs from Mississippi (22.6%) by modified Knott's test. ...
The heartworm Dirofilaria immitis is the causative agent of cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis in dogs and cats and also infects humans. The current knowledge about this parasite in South America is scarce compared to North America and Europe. Nevertheless, this parasite has been reported in some regions of Colombia. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with D. immitis infection in shelter dogs from Bucaramanga metropolitan area. We performed a cross-sectional study using blood samples from shelter dogs. Microfilariae testing of whole blood included a blood smear and modified Knott’s test. Antigen testing of serum was performed using the Anigen Rapid HW Ag Test Kit 2.0 ®. A descriptive analysis and univariable logistic regression analysis were applied. A total of 207 whole blood samples, from 7 shelters dogs in the Bucaramanga metropolitan area, were utilized. The overall prevalence of D. immitis observed in shelter dogs in the Bucaramanga metropolitan area by blood smears and modified Knott’s test was 6.3% (13/ 207) and 0.5% (1/ 207) by immunochromatography test kit. Regarding the prevalence by municipalities, there was a statistical association (P <.05), indicating that the prevalence was higher in dogs in Gir´on municipality. Likewise, there was a statistical association (P <.05) between the prevalence with respect to heartworm knowledge and mosquito control. For prevalence by gender, age group, dog breed, and hair length, there was no statistical association (P >.05). For Gir´on municipality there was a 7.1 times (OR =7.1; CI95% 0.8–59.2; P <.05) increased infection risk. This study provides current data and the first known report of the prevalence of D. immitis microfilaremia and antigenemia in shelter dogs in the Bucaramanga metropolitan area, and these results could be useful for designing new control measures for this infection. We observed that the prevalence of both microfilaremia and antigenemia was significantly lower in these sampled dogs compared to previous reports.
... The higher frequency in this age group might be associated with the development time of filariids (as observed in previous studies) which favors the diagnosis due to the existence of parasites in the microfilaremic productive phase, and to the longer time of exposure of the dogs to vector blood meals which favors the infection. This was also seen in other studies (Montaño et al., 2002;Byeon et al., 2007;Bolio-Gonzalez et al., 2007;Morchón et al., 2012). Higher positivity for heartworm infection was observed among male dogs, but without any significant difference. ...
Heartworm disease is a health problem for dogs and cats, especially in tropical and subtropical coastal regions of the world. Some studies have compared the efficacy of the diagnostic techniques used to detect this parasitosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare parasitological optical microscopy (POM), serological and molecular techniques for diagnosing canine heartworm infection. Samples were collected between July 2015 and April 2016 from 103 dogs in Cabo Frio, RJ, Brazil. The wet fresh blood, thick smears, thin smears and modified Knott’s test were used to detect microfilariae. ELISA (Snap™ 4Dx ® IDEXX) was used to detect antigens and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect DNA and enable sequencing for species differentiation and confirmation. 19.4% of samples were positive according to microscopy. Through PCR, 15.5% of the total were positive. Using ELISA, the positivity rate was 29.1%. Occult heartworm infection was detected in 11.6% of the samples. ELISA sensitivity was shown to be higher than PCR or microscopy (P = 0.001). Sequencing of samples confirmed the presence of Dirofilaria immitis and Acanthocheilonema reconditum . ELISA was more effective for serological diagnosis canine heartworm and should be used in clinical and epidemiological studies.
... En México, las especies de filarias que han sido reportadas infectando a caninos son D. immitis y A. reconditum (Bolio-Gonzalez et al. 2007, Torres-Chable et al. 2012. No obstante, poco se sabe de la presencia de infecciones por estas u otras especies de filarias en ectoparásitos caninos. ...
El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar la preferencia de tres especies
vegetales con potencial para la alimentación animal, disponibles en el estado de
Tabasco: Tulipán (Hibiscus rosa sinensis), Kudzú (Pueraria phaseloides) y Hoja de
plátano (Musa paradisiaca) en veintiocho conejos Nueva Zelanda x California, de
ocho semanas de edad y 1 kg de peso aproximadamente, durante 14 días.
Cincuenta gramos de los forrajes fueron ofrecidos suspendidos en el techo de las
jaulas. El diseño experimental fue completamente al azar y los resultados fueron
analizados mediante estadística descriptiva, análisis de varianza y correlación
mediante el software estadístico STATGRAPHICS 5.0. El resultado de este
experimento mostró que Kudzú (Pueraria phaseloides) y Tulipán (Hibiscus rosa
sinensis) fueron los forrajes con consumo mayor (P<0.05) en comparación con la
hoja de plátano (Musa paradisiaca). Así mismo el consumo de materia seca,
proteína cruda, FDA y FDN fue mayor con Kudzú (Pueraria phaseloides) y Tulipán
(Hibiscus rosa sinensis) (P<0.05). En conclusión los forrajes de Kudzú (Pueraria
phaseloides) y Tulipán (Hibiscus rosa sinensis) fueron preferidos por conejos de
engorda.
... Dirofilariosis has been described in dogs from all regions. Prevalence of 1.3% in central Mexico, 60% in Celestum, and 8.3% in Yucatan for D. immitis have been reported [565][566][567]. Dirofilaria repens has also been reported in a single dog in Guanajuato [35]. ...
Companion vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) are an important threat for pet life, but may also have an impact on human health, due to their often zoonotic character. The importance and awareness of CVBDs continuously increased during the last years. However, information on their occurrence is often limited in several parts of the world, which are often especially affected. Latin America (LATAM), a region with large biodiversity, is one of these regions, where information on CVBDs for pet owners, veterinarians, medical doctors and health workers is often obsolete, limited or non-existent. In the present review, a comprehensive literature search for CVBDs in companion animals (dogs and cats) was performed for several countries in Central America (Belize, Caribbean Islands, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico) as well as in South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana (British Guyana), Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela) regarding the occurrence of the following parasitic and bacterial diseases: babesiosis, heartworm disease, subcutaneous dirofilariosis, hepatozoonosis, leishmaniosis, trypanosomosis, anaplasmosis, bartonellosis, borreliosis, ehrlichiosis, mycoplasmosis and rickettsiosis. An overview on the specific diseases, followed by a short summary on their occurrence per country is given. Additionally, a tabular listing on positive or non-reported occurrence is presented. None of the countries is completely free from CVBDs. The data presented in the review confirm a wide distribution of the CVBDs in focus in LATAM. This wide occurrence and the fact that most of the CVBDs can have a quite severe clinical outcome and their diagnostic as well as therapeutic options in the region are often difficult to access and to afford, demands a strong call for the prevention of pathogen transmission by the use of ectoparasiticidal and anti-feeding products as well as by performing behavioural changes.
... Studies designed to monitor canine populations in Mexico for evidence of D. immitis infection have historically relied on serological assays or microfilariae examination using the thick blood smear (TBS) or modified Knott's tests [8][9][10][11] . Few studies performed in Mexico have reported the use of molecular assays 12 , however, no study has been performed in Tabasco or any of its neighbouring states. ...
... Studies designed to monitor canine populations in Mexico for evidence of D. immitis infection have historically relied on serological assays or microfilariae examination using the thick blood smear (TBS) or modified Knott's tests [8][9][10][11] . Few studies performed in Mexico have reported the use of molecular assays 12 , however, no study has been performed in Tabasco or any of its neighbouring states. ...
Background & objectives: Dirofilaria immitis is a filarial nematode that causes heartworm disease in domestic as well as wild canines and felines; and cutaneous or pulmonary infections in humans. The purpose of the study was to estimate the prevalence of D. immitis in domestic dogs in Tabasco, Mexico and to assay mosquitoes temporally and spatially associated with dogs for evidence of infection.
Methods: Blood was collected from 1050 dogs in 1039 houses during a random household survey performed in 2016 and 2017. Genomic DNA was extracted and assayed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using pan-filarial primers and various species-specific primers. Dog owners were interviewed using a structured questionnaire designed to collect information on factors that may impact the occurrence of filarial infection. The association between canine dirofilariasis prevalence and factors likely to impact infection was determined by univariate logistic regression analysis, followed by multivariate binomial logistic regression analysis. Indoor and outdoor resting mosquitoes were collected from houses by manual aspiration. Mosquitoes were identified according to species, homogenized and tested by PCR for filarial nematodes.
Results: A total of 84 (8%) dogs were positive for D. immitis DNA, while 3 (0.3%) dogs contained Acanthocheilonema reconditum DNA. Several factors were significantly associated with D. immitis infection. For example, dogs that lived
... The prevalence of D. immitis in dogs was specified in the range of 1.1%-46.2% by using various diagnostic techniques from different geographical areas of the world (4,8,12,(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22). There have been different prevalences for a single country depending on many factors such as the number of samples, selection method of samples, preselection of samples, and applied methods (14,17). ...
In this research, we investigate the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs using microscopical, serological, and molecular methods from the Central Anatolia Region (Sivas) of Turkey and reveal the associated risk factors. Whole blood and serum samples were obtained from 306 dogs older than 7 months. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the modified Knott's method (Knott) were used for detecting the microfilaria and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied for the presence of D. immitis antigens. The prevalence of D. immitis in dogs was detected as 2.9% (9/306) by PCR and ELISA and as 1.3% (4/306) by Knott. All Knottpositive samples were also found positive by both PCR and ELISA. According to ELISA and PCR results, no statistically significant difference was found between the prevalence in males (4.2%) and females (1.5%); dogs 0.7-2 years old (2.5%), 3-5 years old (2.2%); and more than 6 years old (7.1%); or stray (3.7%) and owned (1.7%) dogs (P > 0.05). One of the PCR products was selected for sequence analyses of the 16S small subunit rRNA gene and the obtained sequence was submitted to GenBank (KJ183078). The 16S rRNA sequence exhibited 100% identity to other D. immitis sequences available in GenBank (FJ799911, FJ799917, FJ799916). This research provides the first data on D. immitis infections in dogs from Sivas Province by using the combined identification techniques.
... Anjing yang berumur diatas 1,5 tahun mempunyai risiko terinfeksi D. immitis 11,63 kali lebih tinggi dibandingkan anjing berumur dibawah 1,5 tahun (OR=11,63). Hasil ini sesuai dengan pendapat Bolio-Gonzalez et al. (2007) dan Yildirim et al. (2007) yang menyatakan bahwa risiko infeksi D. immitis pada anjing akan meningkat seiring dengan bertambahnya umur karena meningkatnya periode kontak anjing dengan inang antara (nyamuk). Dengan demikian anjing yang lebih tua memiliki waktu dan kesempatan yang lebih tinggi terinfeksi D. immitis. ...
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors Dirofilariaimmitis (D. immitis) infection in dogs slaughtered in Yogyakarta. A total of 151 dogs that were slaughtered from May – November 2013 were examined their heart in order to determine the presence of D. immitis infection. Blood samples were tested using Modified Knott’s Technique for microfilariae examination. The results showed that based on the heart and blood examination the prevalence of D. immitis infection was 14.6 % and 7.9 %, respectively. The risk factors for D. immitis infection were the age and origin of the dog.
... Early information from Mexico reported an overall prevalence of 6.2% to 7.5% (GUERRERO et al., 1992, GUEVARA et al., 1996. According to the necropsy results of stray dogs from Merida (Gulf of Mexico), 7.7% of the animals harbored worms (BOLIO-GONZALEZ et al., 2007), and 59.8% of the blood samples from Celestun (Gulf of Mexico) tested positive by PCR (CARO-GONZALEZ et al., 2011). A survey of 21 Mexican States (28 cities) showed a prevalence of 8.9% with a higher prevalence in the northeastern region (Gulf of Mexico) (MOVILLA et al., 2016). ...
Dirofilaria immitis é um nematoide de ampla distribuição geográfica, que ocorre com maior frequência em áreas quentes e úmidas do planeta. O primeiro registro de sua ocorrência na América do Sul foi realizado em 1878, no Brasil. Naquela época os registros eram poucos e raramente de fácil obtenção, razão pela qual reuni-los facilitará a recuperação da memória ao longo dos anos. Quatro bases de dados (Scopus, MEDLINE, LILACS e PubMed) foram estudadas utilizando-se as palavras-chave “Dirofilaria” ou “heartworm”, os nomes dos países da América do Sul e o México. Nenhum registro foi encontrado para quatro países (Bolívia, Equador, Guiana Francesa e Uruguai) e para outros três (Suriname, Guiana e Paraguai) os registros eram antigos. Apenas o Chile é o território onde houve estudos registrados com ausência do parasita. Os outros países (México, Peru, Colômbia, Venezuela, Argentina e Brasil) apresentam registros com frequência variável no tempo ou no espaço. Assim, as informações reunidas indicam que infecções por D. immitis ocorrem na maior parte da América do Sul e no México e que os médicos veterinários devem instituir programas preventivos para garantir cuidados médicos de qualidade aos pacientes e para proteger a saúde destes e de suas famílias.
... IVM is administered in dogs at different concentration, orally or subcutaneous as single or repeated treatments (Walther et al., 2015); some veterinarians may choose to administer IVM at higher "off-label" doses to treat dogs for endo-and ectoparasites (i.e. 0.2-0.6 mg/kg for sarcoptic mange, Mueller, 2004; 0.2 mg/kg for microfilaria of Dirofilaria immitis, Bolio-Gonzalez et al., 2007). There has also been "off-label" use of the macrocyclic lactones to remove adult worms − so called 'slow-kill' (M. ...
... The most important aetiological agents are Dirofilaria immitis (D. immitis) and Dirofilaria repens (D. repens), both transmitted by several mosquito species of Aedes, Anopheles and Culex [1]. In canids, adults of D. immitis reside in the pulmonary arteries and right heart ventricle, producing severe damage to the cardiovascular system [2], whereas D. repens resides in subcutaneous tissues, usually causing mild cutaneous changes [3]. The former species is of particular relevance, since it is the most frequently recognized aetiological agent of human dirofilariosis [4,5]. ...
... Dirofilaria immitis was not detected in dogs from the northcentral area, which is in agreement with a previous publication that reported a low proportion of infection (1.3 %) in post-mortem examination of 378 dogs from Queretaro, Central Mexico [27]. Positivity of 7.9 % for D. immitis was found in the southeastern region in the present study, which is comparable with previous reported data (8.3 %) in a study conducted in Yucatan among 676 dogs that were evaluated by modified Knott's and thick drop techniques in blood [53]. However, a study conducted in Celestun, a coastal locality in Southeast Mexico, detected a prevalence of infection as high as 59.8 % among 279 asymptomatic dogs, probably because molecular techniques were used, the widespread distribution of mosquitoes and the presence of other mammals that might contribute to the infection of vectors [54]. ...
Background:
Canine vector-borne diseases (CVBD) have become a major concern for canine and human public health. The aim of the study described here is to add epidemiological data regarding four pathogens responsible for CVBD, namely anaplasmosis, borreliosis, dirofilariosis and ehrlichiosis in a national survey conducted in Mexico.
Methods:
Seventy-four veterinary centres located in 21 federal Mexican states were asked to test dogs with clinical signs suspect for CVBD and healthy dogs, for detection of Dirofilaria immitis antigen and antibodies against Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) and Ehrlichia canis using the SNAP® 4DX® from IDEXX® Laboratories.
Results:
A total of 1706 dogs were tested, including 943 apparently healthy and 722 CVBD-suspect dogs. Infected dogs were 36.7 %. The highest percentages of infection with E. canis (51.0 %) and Anaplasma spp. (16.4 %) were obtained in the northwestern region, while D. immitis was most frequently found in the northeastern region of the country (8.9 %). Four dogs from the northwestern, northeastern, eastern and southeastern regions, respectively, were positive for B. burgdorferi (sensu lato). Northcentral regions showed lowest overall prevalence of infection (2.4 %). Co-infections were detected in 8.8 % of the dogs tested. Statistically significant lower positivity was found among dogs aged less than one year (23.2 %) and small-sized dogs (27.6 %), while higher prevalence of infection was found in dogs living outdoors (42.0 %), dogs with detectable tick infestation (43.3 %) and dogs that received treatment for tick-transmitted infections (58.8 %). Seropositivity was a risk factor for the presence of clinical signs as follows: Anaplasma spp. (OR = 2.63; 95 % CI: 1.88-3.67; P < 0.0001), D. immitis (OR = 2.52; 95 % CI: 1.61-3.95; P < 0.0001), E. canis (OR = 3.58; 95 % CI: 2.88-4.45; P < 0.0001), mixed infections (OR = 4.08; 95 % CI: 2.79-5.96; P < 0.0001), one or more agents (OR = 3.58; 95 % CI: 2.91-4.42; P < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
Canine serological evidence supports that dogs from Mexico are at risk of acquiring Anaplasma spp., D. immitis and/or E. canis, while B. burgdorferi (sensu lato) transmission is minimal in the country. Practitioners play a fundamental role in the detection and control of these diseases to protect dogs and humans.
... D. immitis occurs in cardiopulmonary system of more than 30 species of mammals, including mustelids, primates, marine mammals, rodents, and ungulates [16] with cosmopolitan distribution. Among definitive host, dogs represent the most suitable one, with prevalence and infection intensity influenced by size, age, habits (outdoor dogs) [17,18]. In enzootic areas, the prevalence for D. immitis in cats is 5-20% of that reported in dogs [19]. ...
... La filariasis es una enfermedad parasítica causada por nemátodos de la familia Onchocercidae, en los que se encuentran diferentes especies de géneros como Dirofilaria, Filaroide, Filaria, Dipetalonema, Onchocerca y Setaria entre los más conocidos. En Yucatán se han hecho varios reportes de parasitosis por este grupo de gusanos (no se mencionan en este trabajo), sin embargo el que se ha reportado como un riesgo importante para la población en los últimos años es la producida por Dirofilaria immitis (Bolio-González et al., 2007;Manrique-Saide et al., 2008;Rodríguez-Vivas et al., 1994), conocida por causar principalmente enfermedades de tipo cardiopulmonar en diversos mamíferos, entre los que se encuentra el hombre (Araya et al., 2007). ...
We present a review with the objective of integrate, describe and analyze the current state of knowledge generated about zoonotic diseases in the Yucatan Peninsula in order to establish a theoretical and methodological framework for the approach of a multidisciplinary research proposal that meets current problems and leading to the search and generation of epidemiological surveillance and measures to prevent these diseases. Although the information collected is limited to the regional level, the prospects for study that arise in this document are applicable to different scales and geographic regions.
... In animals, there have been both epidemiological and clinical case studies of this worm worldwide [14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. Prevalence of this parasite in dogs from several parts from India has been reported [21,22]. ...
The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in stray, pet, and working dogs (n = 413, 266, and 103, resp.) from Guwahati (Assam) and Aizawl (Mizoram), areas located in two Northeastern States of India. Diagnostic methods applied were microscopy (wet film and Knott's concentration technique), immunological test (Ag ELISA by SNAP 4Dx ELISA kit), and molecular tools (polymerase chain reaction and sequencing), which evidenced 11.38, 18.03, and 13.93% of positive animals, respectively. No significant differences were observed by area (18.23% versus 17.68%) nor by sex (18.1% versus 17.9%), whereas stray dogs proved more infected than other groups (P < 0.05). ELISA test evidenced an overall 22.69% of occult infections, mainly in working dogs (60%), and molecular techniques detected Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens in 4 stray dogs from Guwahati. Characterization of D. immitis isolates for ITS-2 region showed close identity with South Asian isolates.
... D. immitis, the agent of heartworm disease, causes severe disorders and even death in dogs in many parts of the world (McCall et al. 2008). The prevalence of both dirofilariasis is very high in the USA (Carleton and Tolbert 2004;Bowman et al. 2007;McKay et al. 2013), in Central America (Bolio-Gonzalez et al. 2007;Caro-Gonzalez et al. 2011), Asia (Oi et al. 2014), Russia (Ermakova et al. 2014), and in some European countries (Genchi et al. 2011). Endemic areas are present in the south of France, in Italy (Capelli et al. 2013;Giangaspero et al. 2013), Spain (Montoya-Alonso et al. 2010), Portugal (Santa-Ana et al. 2006), Germany (Sassnau et al. 2014), Poland (Demiaszkiewicz et al. 2014), Hungary (Farkas et al. 2014;Tolnai et al. 2014), and in Romania (Mircean et al. 2012). ...
A controlled clinical trial was carried out to assess the adulticidal and anti-feeding effectiveness of a spot-on combining fipronil and permethrin (Effitix®, Virbac, Carros, France) in preventing Culex pipiens from feeding on dogs. Twelve dogs with equal sensitivity to mosquitoes were included in the study and divided into two groups of six dogs: an untreated control group and a group treated with Effitix®. All dogs were challenged with 80 females C. pipiens for 90± 5 min on days −7, 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 (day 0 being treatment day). The number of engorged, dead, and live mosquitoes was determined after each exposure to treated and untreated dogs. Dead mosquitoes were also counted 24 h after exposure. The anti-feeding effect of the spot-on formulation was 100, 99.5, 97.7, 98.3, and 96.7 % on days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28, respectively. The mortality effect was 66.6, 55.9, 38, 17.2, and 12.3 % on days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28, respectively. At each challenge point, the mortality and anti-feeding effects on mosquitoes were significantly different between the control and treated group (p<0.05). The results indicate that a combination of permethrin and fipronil could be used as an effective mosquito control strategy in dogs and is therefore recommended for use in a dirofilariasis prevention program.
... Analyzing the infestation prevalence depending on age, there were noticed high values in adult animals in comparison to the youth, similar data being reported by Yildirim et al. (2007) and Song et al. (2003). Age represents an important risk factor in canine heartworm disease appearance, by the fact that older animals had a longer exposure period to infection and a larger possibil- ity to develop the disease (Bolio- Gonzales et al., 2007). ...
The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis
infection in dogs in Bucharest areas. A total of 98 dogs from different breeds
and ages, with cardiopulmonary symptoms were examined for D. immitis
infection. The diagnosis of heartworm disease in dogs was based on the
radiographic observation of thoracic abnormalities an on the identification of
microfilaria in the blood. Microfilarias were detected in 32 blood samples
from dogs (32/98; 32.65%). From the positive dogs, 11 (34.37%) were aged
2-5 years, 19 (59.38%) were 5-10 years and 2 (6.25%) were 10-13 years-old.
The prevalence of the infection was 62.50% in male dogs and 37.50% in
female dogs. These results proved that D. immitis infection in dogs had a
higher prevalence than expected in Bucharest area.
... La filariasis es una enfermedad parasítica causada por nemátodos de la familia Onchocercidae, en los que se encuentran diferentes especies de géneros como Dirofilaria, Filaroide, Filaria, Dipetalonema, Onchocerca y Setaria entre los más conocidos. En Yucatán se han hecho varios reportes de parasitosis por este grupo de gusanos (no se mencionan en este trabajo), sin embargo el que se ha reportado como un riesgo importante para la población en los últimos años es la producida por Dirofilaria immitis (Bolio-González et al., 2007;Manrique-Saide et al., 2008;Rodríguez-Vivas et al., 1994), conocida por causar principalmente enfermedades de tipo cardiopulmonar en diversos mamíferos, entre los que se encuentra el hombre (Araya et al., 2007). ...
We present a review with the objective of integrate, describe and analyze the current state of knowledge generated about zoonotic diseases in the Yucatan Peninsula in order to establish a theoretical and methodological framework for the approach of a multidisciplinary research proposal that meets current problems and leading to the search and generation of epidemiological surveillance and measures to prevent these diseases. Although the information collected is limited to the regional level, the prospects for study that arise in this document are applicable to different
scales and geographic regions.
... Highest rate of the infection was reported in the age range of 6 years and older by Meshgi et al. (2002), Montoya et al. (2006), andYildirim et al. (2007), but decreased seroprevalence was detected in dogs older than 6 years in present study and vice versa. Similar results were also outlined by Bolio Gonzalez et al. (2007) and Song et al.(2003). ...
Canine dirofilariosis is presumed to be enzootic in different parts of Iran but no study has been done regarding the prevalence
of canine dirofilariosis in southeastern Iran. In this study, the presence of Dirofilaria immitis circulating antigen was detected using a commercial immunochromatogeraphy kit in the sera of 100 owned dogs, which were referred
to Kerman Veterinary Hospital during a 6-month period. Modified knott test and follow-up radiography and electrocardiography
were performed to support the heartworm diagnosis in seropositive dogs. At the same period, 98 stray dogs were subjected to
post-mortem examination of the heart, pulmonary arteries, thoracic venae cavae, and lungs for detection of adult heartworm
infection. The overall seroprevalence of heartworm was estimated at 5% but only two seropositive dogs showed microfilaremia.
No stray dog was infected at necropsy and all seropositive dogs were owned. The prevalence of heartworm disease showed an
initial increase with age fallowed by a decline in dogs older than 6 years. There were no significant differences among the
dogs regarding sex and breed. Seven infected dogs (70%) were symptomatic in physical examination, and a broad spectrum of
specific clinical signs of cardiovascular involvement was noticed. Distinctive radiographic signs with varied degrees of severity
were seen in 50% of cases. Electrocardiography of seropositive cases revealed specific signs of right-sided cardiomegaly in
30% of cases. In conclusion, Kerman is a low endemic area for canine dirofilariosis but further epidemiological researches
are needed to identify the disease distribution and human cases in southeastern Iran.
... La mayor prevalencia de D. immitis encontrada en caninos machos fue previamente observada por otros autores 1,4,7,9,22,25,29 y en dos reportes las diferencias resultaron estadísticamente significativas con respecto a las hembras 3,22 . Otros autores observaron resultados opuestos, a favor de una mayor prevalencia en las hembras 5,10 . En cuanto a la edad, este estudio demostró una mayor proporción de caninos positivos entre los perros que superaban los 6 años. ...
... Canine dirofilariasis is a disease of worldwide distribution. However, endemic areas are those with temperate, tropical, and subtropical climatic conditions (20). In general, the coastal areas in North of Iran presented a higher prevalence of heartworm infection (16.0%) than most other area in Iran (11, 1315, 21). ...
Dirofilaria immitis is an important parasite in dog and other carnivores. Our objective was study on incidence and periodicity of heartworm in north of Iran and using other methods for its diagnosis in addition to Parasitology exam.
This survey spanned two years, between 2006 and 2008. Blood samples were collected from 431 stray dogs distributed along north of Iran, the coastal areas of the Caspian Sea. The Knott's modified test was used for diagnosis of D. immitis and other filariae. Meanwhile, the periodicity of microfilaria in peripheral blood circulation was calculated and the imaging diagnosis techniques of four dogs that had positive results were done.
Diagnostic parasitology results indicated that 16.01% of stray dogs were microfilaremic. Two different microfilariae were diagnosed: D. immitis in 13.69%, Dipetalonema reconditum in 1.86% and in 0.46% both of them. There was no statistically significant between infection to fiariae with sex and age of dogs. Also study on the periodicity of the presence of microfilaria in peripheral circulation showed that the highest rate of those was at 1 am and the lowest rate at 12 pm. Radiographic study showed distinctive signs with varied degrees of severity included: Tortuous and enlargement of main and lobar pulmonary artery, pulmonary parenchymal lesions and Right side heart enlargement that confirmed in electrocardiography. Also in echocardiographic images observed short parallel-sided images with the appearance of equal signs that indicated the presence of the heartworm.
These results showed that to obtain a reliable diagnosis of heartworm infection, imaging tests could support parasitological exams.
... Selby et al., 1980;Yildirim et al., 2007). However, when only dogs maintained outdoors were compared, Theis et al. (2001) found no difference between genders and Bolio Gonzalez et al. (2007) reported a higher prevalence for females in a survey of stray dogs. In our survey, there is no available information about the time that dogs spend outdoors or other behaviors that potentially affect to males and females in different ways. ...
This study was aimed at understanding some aspects of the canine heartworm epidemiology in the southern distribution limit of the parasite in South America. With this objective, 19,298 blood samples of owned dogs from 65 localities of 13 municipalities of Buenos Aires Province were tested for Dirofilaria immitis circulating microfilariae and/or female antigens. The overall heartworm prevalence was 1.63% by microhematocrit tube technique (n=19,136), 3.65% by modified Knott (n=713), and 14.41% by antigen test kit (n=118). Microfilaremic dogs showed a median of 1933 microfilariae per millilitre (q1=375, q3=5625, n=100). Male dogs belonging to breeds of short hair and large size recorded significantly higher prevalences than the other categories. Also, the prevalence increased significantly with the age and only dogs younger than 12 months were not found infected. A clear decreasing trend of the annual prevalence was observed during the whole study period, from 3.91% in 2001 to 1.17% in 2006. D. immitis-infected dogs were detected in 32 localities of 9 municipalities (prevalence range: 0.2-6.7%). Generalized linear models were used to assess associations between heartworm prevalence and environmental variables. The resulting significant models were univariate and included variables related with soil cover and human population density. The best model predicted maximum heartworm prevalences around middle values of bare soil cover, and lower at high and low covers. According to our analyses, canine heartworm infection in urban temperate Argentina could be described as relatively low, endemic, and spatially heterogeneous. Host and environmental factors affecting heartworm transmission at local level were identified and discussed.
... In Yucatán, Mexico, both parasites are present and the prevalence of infected dogs is 7.7% for D. immitis and 16.1% for T. cruzi (Bolio-Gonzalez et al., 2007;Jimenez-Coello et al., 2008), making co-infection a likely event. In the present work, we identified dogs with T. cruzi and D. immitis natural co-infection and evaluated the possible interactions between the two parasites. ...
Dirofilariasis (Dirofilaria immitis) and American trypanosomiasis (Trypanosoma cruzi) are zoonotic parasitic diseases affecting the hearts of a variety of mammalian host species, including dogs. In this study, some of the immunopathological characteristics of natural co-infection by these two parasites were compared with T. cruzi infection in dogs from Mexico. Antibody analysis in serum indicated significantly lower anti-T. cruzi IgG levels in co-infected dogs (n = 4) compared to those with T. cruzi infection alone (n = 9), together with a somewhat lower IgG2/IgG1 ratio. Cardiac tissue inflammation was limited and focal in co-infected animals whereas T. cruzi infected dogs had extensive and diffuse tissue inflammation. Three out of nine T. cruzi infected dogs and 1/4 of T. cruzi and D. immitis co-infected dogs showed cardiac alterations. The results showed that co-infections may interfere with host responses, and their significant prevalence (4/13 T. cruzi infected dogs) suggests that they should be taken into account by researchers and clinicians.
GUIDE OF MAIN INFECTIOUS DISEASES TRANSMITTED FROM NON-HUMAN ANIMALS TO HUMANS – DIROFILARIOSIS IN HUMANS AND ANIMALS
p> Background. In tropical and subtropical regions there are ideal conditions for the maintenance and proliferation of leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, American trypanosomiasis, and heartworm disease, which affect the welfare and health of domestic and synanthropic animals and can cause zoonoses. Objective. To identify the main epidemiological findings of potentially zoonotic diseases such as leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, American trypanosomiasis, and heartworm disease in domestic animals, synanthropics, and humans in the Yucatan Peninsula. Methodology. The compilation of scientific articles from the studies carried out by the academic body of Animal Health in the first 50 years of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the Autonomous University of Yucatan was carried out. The review focused on four infectious agents with zoonotic potential ( Leptospira spp, Toxoplasma gondii , Trypanosoma cruzi , and Dirofilaria immitis ) that affect animals in the Yucatan peninsula. Results. The studies have shown a wide distribution of animals affected by these agents and described various aspects of epidemiology in animals and humans. Implications. Epidemiological monitoring of these agents and the study of their impact on health is essential for decision-making when it comes to implementing official control and prevention measures in both animals and humans. Conclusions. The infectious agents described (bacteria, protozoa and nematode) have a wide distribution in various species of domestic and synanthropic animals of the Yucatan peninsula, and have an impact on the human population in this region of Mexico. The epidemiological conditions described in this region should serve to prevent and control these diseases.</p
Dirofilaria immitis is a parasitic filarial nematode responsible for heartworm disease in domestic as well as wild canines and felines and pulmonary or cutaneous infections in humans. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the status of D. immitis in dogs based on available literature. Four English language databases (ISI Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed and Science Direct) containing data on D. immitis prevalence in dogs were thoroughly searched resulting in the inclusion of 193 studies. The findings revealed that the pooled and weighted prevalence of D. immitis infection in dog population based on published papers throughout the world was 10.91% (95% CI=10.18-11.65). In addition, subgroup analysis based on meta-regression revealed that a significant difference between the pooled and weighted prevalence of D. immitis in dogs and country (β =0.14, P=0.049). Given the relatively high prevalence of D. immitis infection in dogs and its adverse effects, it is suggested that to perform more research on the prevention and control of dirofilariasis infection in dogs worldwide.
Dirofilaria immitis, the cause of heartworm infestation (HWI) or dirofilariasis, affects members of the Canidae and remains a worldwide clinical problem. In Iraq, dirofilariasis was believed absent until 2009, when the Karbala Governorate was reported as an endemic area for canine dirofilariasis. Consequently, this study intended to investigate the occurrence of Dirofilaria immitis in police dogs in one police academy in Iraq and to study the gross and histopathological changes in 5 dead dogs, as well as to identify the species of the causative parasite using PCR technique. Thirty-nine police dogs, aged between 6 months and 12 years were included in this study. For the microfilariae investigation, 5 ml blood samples were collected from all dogs in EDTA tubes and examined by Knott's method. The systemic necropsy performed in five dead dogs showed severe clinical signs of dirofilariasis and tissue specimens were sent for routine histopathological processing. For the molecular analysis, adult worms of the detected Dirofilaria spp. were used for DNA extraction and amplification of the cox1 gene. Fifteen of 39 (38.46%) dogs were diagnosed with moderate to severe microfilariasis. The dead dogs revealed typical severe clinical signs of dirofilariasis. Moreover, typical gross and histopathological changes were also seen, accompanied by generalized thromboembolic lesions, suggesting the occurrence of the caval syndrome. The PCR investigation confirmed that D. immitis was the species present in Iraq. In conclusion, this study establishes that Iraq is a newly reported endemic area for dirofilariasis. Moreover, the infestation occurring in these cases most probably happened inside Iraq. The authors recommend doing further epidemiological studies concerning the occurrence of D. immitis in local dogs as well as in the imported dogs in all Iraqi governorates to better understand the epidemiological map of this disease and to introduce an active treatment and preventive program. Awareness and education regarding this disease should be provided to the veterinarians, dog guiders and people in direct contact with dogs, as this disease is one of the important zoonotic diseases. A Dirofilaria immitis, causadora da infestação pelo verme do coração (IVC) ou dirofilariose afeta os membros da família Canidae e ainda é um problema clínico mundial. Até o ano de 2009, acreditava-se que o Iraque fosse livre da dirofilariose, porém nessa ocasião a governadoria de Kerbala foi relatada como uma área endêmica de dirofilariose. Assim o presente trabalho foi realizado para investigar a ocorrência da Dirofilaria immitis em cães policiais em uma academia de polícia do Iraque, estudar as alterações macroscópicas e histopatológicas em cinco cães mortos, bem como, identificar as espécies do parasita causador com o emprego da técnida de PCR. Trinta e nove cães policiais com seis meses a 12 anos de idade foram incluídos no estudo. Amostras de sangue de cinco mililitros foram colhidas por animal, em tubos com EDTA e foram examinadas pelo método de Knott. A necropsia sistêmica foi realizada em cinco cães que haviam apresentado sinais clínicos severos de dirofilariose e espécimens dos seus tecidos foram enviados para o processamento histopatológico de rotina. Para a análise molecular dos vermes adultos de Dirofilaria spp, foi empregada a extração do DNA e a amplificação do gene cox1. Quinze de 39(38,46%) cães foram diagnosticados com uma microfilariase variavel de moderada para severa. As alterações macroscópicas e histopatológicas foram acompanhadas por lesões generalizadas tromboembólicas sugestivas da ocorrência da síndrome da veia cava. A investigação de PCR confirmou que a D.immitis era a espécie presente no Iraque. A conclusão do estudo estabeleceu que o Iraque deve passar a ser considerado como uma nova área endêmica da dirofilariose. Além da infestação registrada nos casos descritos é provável que ela também 2/13 Braz J Vet Res Anim Sci. 2018;56(2):e152987 How to cite: Al-Salihi KA, Al-Thabhawee AM, Al-Alrammahi HM, Sobrenome AB, Kareem FA. Dirofilaria immitis infestation in imported police (K-9) dogs in Iraq: Clinicopathological and molecular investigations study. Braz J Vet Res Anim Sci. 2019;56(2):e152987. https://doi.
The variance in dog population densities (0.1 dogs per 100 people in some Arab communities to 40–50 dogs per 100 people on some Pacific Islands – e.g. Guam, Saipan, and the Philippines) and their total abundance appears to be a reflection of the human–canine relationship rather than the dogs' reproductive capacity. Case studies of humane dog population approaches (e.g. Bhutan, Jaipur, and Costa Rica), focusing on sterilization and observed human behavior change resulting from planned long‐term projects, have improved both street dog and human welfare, have also led to decreased street dog populations, and enhanced responsible dog ownership practices. This chapter reflects on what we are learning about global dog populations and, more importantly, the opportunities for humane dog population management programs to change the life of millions of dogs across the world.
The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis antigen, Ehrlichia canis and Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies, using an Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) (Snap 3Dx test; IDEXX Laboratories, Westbrook, Maine, USA). Study was performed on total of 82 mixed-breed dogs (60 female and 22 male). Each dog was examined clinically, microscopic examination of stained smear. D. immitis antigen infection was detected in 2 dogs (2.4%) and E. ean,is antibodies were present in 4 dogs (4.8%). None of the tested dogs (82) was positive for B. burgdorferi antibodies.
Canine dirofilariasis or heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis is a serious animal life threatening disease. Adult worms live in the lung arteries and right heart, causing cardiovascular and pulmonary parenchyma changes. The aim of this study was the radiographic evaluation of the dogs’ thorax naturally infected with D. immitis in southern Romania. Medical records of 83 dogs (45 males and 38 females), diagnosed positive for D. immitis with thorax radiographs have been reviewed. Fifty-six (67.47%) were pure breeds and 27 (32.53%) mongrels, aged between 2 and 16 years (7.51 years average). Sixty-two dogs (74.70%) presented cardiopulmonary radiographic changes and 21 dogs (25.30%) were without radiographic signs. Sixty dogs (72.29%) had vascular radiographic changes, 51 dogs (61.44%) had pulmonary parenchymal changes, 39 dogs (46.99%) had changes in heart shape and silhouette, and 2 dogs (2.41%) had pleural effusions. On lateral radiographs, the average VHS rate on the evaluated dogs was higher than the reference. The obtained results suggest that thoracic radiography represents a useful tool in assessing the presence and severity of cardiopulmonary changes in dogs infected with D. immitis.
Canine dirofilariosis is a vector-borne disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis and causes severe clinical signs. A high prevalence has been reported in the USA and other countries while in Mexico it has been lower. In the present study 391 dogs were sampled at random at the city of Monterrey, Mexico and were tested by the ELISA method using a canine commercial kit. Only 28 animals resulted positive (7%) and included different dog breeds and mixed blood animals. According to sex, 18 were males and 10 females while the prevalence was higher in animals with short hair. According to exposition to pest control and place of stay, animals that have been exposed to insecticides and were kept outside the house had a higher prevalence of D. immitis. These results are in agreement with previous studies that have also performed random sampling in the same city.
Canine heartworm is a parasitic disease transmitted by a mosquito, and caused by Dirofilaria immitis.The distribution is worldwide and has been found in tropical, subtropical and temperat regions. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of D. immitis infection in dog. A totat of 776 dogs were examinated by clinical and paraclinical methods. Blood samples were examined using a modified Knott's and fresh blood smear techniques. Of the total of 116 dogs, 34 were positive for D. immitis with a prevalence value of 29.31%. Of the positive dogs, 5.88% w ere aged <2 years, 41.18% were 2-5 year-old and 52.94% were aged >5 years. The infection prevalence was 55.82% in male dogs and 44.22% in female dogs. These results demonstrated that D. immitis infection in dog had a higher prevalence in Bucharest area.
Several infectious agents may be distributed within a healthy population of cats where diverse risk factors predispose them to come into contact with pathogens. Blood samples from 227 owned cats in Merida, Mexico, were collected with the objective of determining the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and Dirofilaria immitis antigen, and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibody. Serological detection of FeLV and D immitis antigens, and FIV antibodies was performed using the commercial kit SNAP Feline Triple Test. The prevalence was found to be 7.5% for FeLV, 2.5% for FIV and 0% for D immitis. Adult cats were at a higher risk of coming into contact with FeLV (P <0.01) than younger cats. Owing to its low prevalence, a risk factor analysis was not performed for FIV. The prevalence of retroviral infections found in this study was low, but within the limits reported in the different geographical areas of the world. Cases of filariosis in the domestic cats of Merida, Mexico, may be absent or very low; however, the low sample size may have influenced these results.
In 2009 canine filarial infections were investigated in two northern areas of Serbia (Pan cevo and Veliko Gradište), applying morphometry, biochemical staining, and immunological kit to detect Dirofilaria immitis antigens, and two home-made ELISAs to detect antibodies to D. repens and D. immitis somatic/metabolic polyproteins. Moreover, molecular tools were applied to analyze the phylogenetic relationships of the isolates. The micro-filariae detected in 21/122 dogs (17.2%) were identified as D. repens (n = 21) and D. immitis (n = 2). D. immitis antigens were found in another 13 animals with occult infection. All of the 15 heartworm-positive dogs also had antibodies to this parasite, which were detected in another 13 subjects, indicating an overall D. immitis ser-oprevalence rate of 22.9%. Serology for D. repens revealed evidence of antibodies in 42.6% of the dogs, but was negative for 4 microfilaremic dogs. As for the two different areas, the prevalence of microfilariae and/or D. immitis antigens, mainly due to D. repens microfilaremic animals, was not significantly higher in Veliko Gradište (33.3%) than in Pan cevo (22%). However, serology showed a different epidemiological picture. Heartworm infection occurred more often in both areas, and antibodies to dirofilarial nematodes were detected in 72.9% of dogs living in Pan cevo, a rate higher than in those living in Veliko Gradište (57.1%). No risk factors for infection were found, confirming the uselessness of prophylactic drugs against D. repens, and suggesting the presence in these areas of sunrise-or sunset-biting mosquitoes as important vectors. The results indicate the need for both appropriate entomological studies and further research on the intra-species variability shown by D. repens.
Abstract In 2009 canine filarial infections were investigated in two northern areas of Serbia (Pančevo and Veliko Gradište), applying morphometry, biochemical staining, and immunological kit to detect Dirofilaria immitis antigens, and two home-made ELISAs to detect antibodies to D. repens and D. immitis somatic/metabolic polyproteins. Moreover, molecular tools were applied to analyze the phylogenetic relationships of the isolates. The microfilariae detected in 21/122 dogs (17.2%) were identified as D. repens (n=21) and D. immitis (n=2). D. immitis antigens were found in another 13 animals with occult infection. All of the 15 heartworm-positive dogs also had antibodies to this parasite, which were detected in another 13 subjects, indicating an overall D. immitis seroprevalence rate of 22.9%. Serology for D. repens revealed evidence of antibodies in 42.6% of the dogs, but was negative for 4 microfilaremic dogs. As for the two different areas, the prevalence of microfilariae and/or D. immitis antigens, mainly due to D. repens microfilaremic animals, was not significantly higher in Veliko Gradište (33.3%) than in Pančevo (22%). However, serology showed a different epidemiological picture. Heartworm infection occurred more often in both areas, and antibodies to dirofilarial nematodes were detected in 72.9% of dogs living in Pančevo, a rate higher than in those living in Veliko Gradište (57.1%). No risk factors for infection were found, confirming the uselessness of prophylactic drugs against D. repens, and suggesting the presence in these areas of sunrise- or sunset-biting mosquitoes as important vectors. The results indicate the need for both appropriate entomological studies and further research on the intra-species variability shown by D. repens.
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs and to analyze risk factors associated with infection at Celestun, a coastal locality in southeast Mexico. Blood samples were collected from 279 asymptomatic individuals between August 2007 and March 2008 and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction technique. The association between D. immitis infection and sex, age group, and distance of residence from a wetland of dogs was statistically analyzed. Prevalence of D. immitis infection was of 59.8%. Age of individuals (>2 years) was a risk factor for infection with D. immitis (odds ratio 2.49, confidence interval 1.47-4.23, p=0.001). In conclusion, Celestun can be considered a focus of D. immitis infection with high levels of transmission among the local dog population, as confirmed by the high prevalence reported and the association of age (dogs >2 years) as a risk associated with infection.
En Yucatán, México existe un gran número
de grupos entomológicos que pueden tener efectos
en detrimento del bienestar de la salud animal.
Algunos de estos grupos son importantes ya que
causan procesos patológicos en los animales
domésticos y/o actúan como vectores de ciertas
enfermedades. Boophilus microplus, Varroa
jacobsoni y Cochliomya hominivorax han sido los
parásitos con mayor estudio en nuestra región. Sin
embargo, Haematobia irritans, Stomoxis
calcitrans, Tabanus sp, Oestrus ovis and
Riphicephalus sanguineus, requieren de estudios
más precisos para conocer su ciclo biológico y el
comportamiento poblacional en nuestra región. El
objetivo del presente artículo es proporcionar un
panorama de los grupos entomológicos más
importantes, desde el punto de vista veterinario,
que han sido reportados en el estado de Yucatán,
México.
It is suggested that microfilarial blood surveys be made upon the school children, taking 1 c.c. of venous blood between 9
and 10 a.m.
A method is described for examining this blood; it is laked with 2 per cent. formalin solution in a conical-tip centrifuge
tube and allowed to sediment.
The sediment is spread on a glass slide and stained with methylene blue and eosin; this stains the microfilariae blue and
the background red.
The method gives counts comparable to counts with the standard 20 c.mm. drop of night blood.
Blood samples from 2034 dogs were tested to detect Dirofilaria immitis antigen during three consecutive years (from 1994 to 1996) in Gran Canaria Island, Canary Islands, Spain. The prevalence of heartworm infection was 67.02% in 1994, 58.92% in 1995 and 52.18% in 1996, with a mean prevalence of 58.89%. Heartworm infection was more common in males (56.19%) than in females (43.81 %), in dogs aged between 3 and 6 years old. The distribution of the disease in the different climatic zones was studied. Chronological changes in the dog's prevalence for heartworm infection in the three consecutive years and the role of the epidemiological factors in the changes of the positive rates were evaluated.
A number of statistics have recently been proposed to asssess the fit of the multiple logistic regression model in both prospective and retrospective studies involving two independent samples as well as in cross sectional studies. These statistics are not appropriate for assessing fit with matched case‐control studies.
This paper presents methods for assessing fit for matched case‐control studies. Both parametric and nonparametric approaches are suggested even though none are directly analogous to the statistics proposed in the unmatched situation. Several examples are included to illustrate the methods.
Based on recently published surveys and newly acquired data, a study was conducted to verify the distribution of filarial worm (Filarioidea) infections in Europe, with particular emphasis on canine heartworm infection (Dirofilaria immitis). A Geographic Information System based on thermal regimen was constructed as a means to identify areas potentially suitable for heartworm transmission, taking into account that the development of D. immitis larvae in the mosquito does not occur below the threshold temperature of approximately 14 °C. Furthermore, a bionomic model of D. immitis in its mosquito vectors, which calculates the moving cumulative heartworm development unit parameter, was applied using the available temperature data to assess the theoretic transmission timing of heartworm in Europe. The results show that the earliest infection risk occurs in Spain on March 21 and the latest risk occurs in Spain on September 11. The longest risk period occurs in Spain (Murcia station: March 21–November 11), and the shortest risk period occurs in northeastern Europe. The study also provides the first risk assessment maps for Europe and suggests that if the actual climatic trend continues, filarial infection should spread into previously infection-free areas.
Dirofilaria immitis is an epizootic filarial parasite that most often infects domestic dogs. This article provides information about the life cycle of Dirofilaria immitis as well as the epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical signs, and treatment of heartworm infection.
Risk factors associated with canine heartworm infection were determined by screening medical records from the Veterinary Medical Data Program of June 1964--May 1976. Data represented were from 14 colleges and schools of veterinary medicine in the United States and Canada. A total of 3,655 dogs were infected. Intact male dogs 4 to 7 years old and of the larger hound breeds had the highest relative risk, whereas dogs of smaller breeds, those less than 2 years old, spayed females, and castrated males were at least risk.
To estimate the seroprevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection in domestic dogs in Taiwan, we utilized a commercial ELISA kit (Snap, IDEXX, USA) for detecting circulating antigens released by adult female worms. Serum specimens of 664 domestic dogs sampled from Taipei City in northern Taiwan and 14 mountain aboriginal districts in eastern Taiwan were screened for D. immitis antigens. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by multiple logistic regression analysis. A total of 89 subjects were antigen-positive, giving a seroprevalence of 13.4%, of which the seroprevalence in Taipei City and mountain aboriginal districts were 13.8 and 12.1%, respectively. The mean overall seropositive rates were 6.3% in 1-3-year-old age group, 14.1% in 3-6-year-old age group and 23.7% in the > or =6-year-old age group. The older the age, the higher the seroprevalence (OR=4.6, 95% CI=2.4-9.0 for the > or =6-year-old age group versus 1-3-year-old age group, P<0.001) for all the dogs in the present study. Moreover, seroprevalence was not different between female and male dogs in either Taipei City or mountain aboriginal districts (P>0.05). Also, no significant difference in seroprevalence among dogs between the two geographical areas was found (P>0.05). In the logistic regression analysis, the seroprevalence of D. immitis remained significantly increased with age after multivariate adjustment in the present study. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the status of D. immitis infection in domestic dogs in Taipei City and mountain aboriginal districts in Taiwan to date.
A dog microfilariae prevalence and risk factor survey was conducted in 51 contiguous municipalities of the Mt. Vesuvius area (Campania region, southern Italy) in order to add data to the limited epidemiological information available regarding filarial worms in this zone. Between May 1999 and June 2000, blood samples were collected from 351 asymptomatic dogs. Blood samples were examined using a modified Knott's technique and histochemical staining in order to count and identify microfilariae. The results were subjected to statistical analysis and choroplethic municipal maps (MMs) were drawn by a geographical information system (GIS) software. Microfilariae were detected in 63 of the 351 dogs surveyed, constituting a total filarial prevalence of 17.9%. In particular, 56 dogs (15.9%) showed only microfilariae of Dipetalonema reconditum; three dogs (0.8%) only microfilariae of Dirofilaria repens; two dogs (0.6%) microfilariae of both D. reconditum and D. repens and two dogs (0.6%) microfilariae of both Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens. High D. reconditum prevalence was associated with hunting practice, masculine gender and older dogs. There was also a tendency to find high prevalence in dogs sampled in the afternoon. In conclusion, the presence of microfilariae of D. reconditum in 92% of microfilaraemic dogs indicates that this filarial worm was the predominant filarial species in dogs in the Mt. Vesuvius area. In addition, the general trends of the MMs showed that D. immitis and D. repens were present only in a few municipalities, whereas D. reconditum was widely and homogeneously spread throughout the entire study area.
Between 1993 and 1997, 837 stray dogs from North Taiwan were necropsied and examined for dog heartworm infections. A thick smear from 20 ml of peripheral blood from each dog was also prepared and examined for microfilariae (mf). The overall prevalence of adult worms in the dog population was 57%. The prevalence of mf in 1228 house dogs from different parts of Taiwan was also determined from 20 ml of peripheral blood in the same way. The overall prevalence of mf was 25%, with a value of 30% in the main island of Taiwan, this being 15 times higher than that in the offshore islands (2%). In Taiwan, the prevalence ranged from 4% in Hualien County, East Taiwan, to 41% in Nantou County, Central Taiwan. The mf prevalences on offshore islands were 1% on Liuchiu and 2% on Lanyu. The mf density per 20 ml blood in 82 house dogs was found to be 23 mf per dog, with a range of 3-97 mf per dog. A total of 477 stray dogs were found to be infected with adult worms of Dirofilaria immitis. The mean number of 7 worms per dog was obtained, with a range of 1-55 worms per dog. These results indicate that the prevalence of canine dirofilariasis has increased in Taiwan over the past 10 years. Moreover, the prevalence may be related to the wind speed, temperature, relative humidity, and altitude in the different areas surveyed.
Eight-hundred and forty eight dogs (480 females and 368 males) not on chemoprophylaxis were examined for Dirofilaria immitis infection from 2001 to 2002. Three-hundred and thirty nine (40.0%) of 848 samples tested with antigen detecting ELISA kits showed positive reaction for D. immitis antigen. More male (43.5%) than female (37.3%) dogs were affected in this study, although there was no significant difference between both groups. Chi2 analysis showed that female and male dogs of shoreline areas had higher significant prevalence than other areas (P<0.001), respectively. The mean overall positive rates of heartworm infection were 10.4% in dogs <2-year-old group, 46.5% in 2-4-year-old group, 48.4% in 4-6-year-old group and 50.3% in >6-year-old group. The older the age, the higher the prevalence of D. immitis infection in this study. Chi2 analysis revealed a significant higher prevalence in 4-6-year-old group (100%) of shoreline areas and in 2-4-old-year group (51.2%) of urban areas (Chungnam province), respectively (P<0.001), and also revealed that the over 6-year-old group (50.3%) in mean overall prevalence had the significant higher prevalence than other age group (P<0.001). In climate comparison, our data showed that shoreline areas (69.5%) had the significant higher prevalence than urban areas and mountain areas (P<0.001). This survey confirms that the prevalence of canine heartworm infection increases, and also that the prevalence in shoreline areas is higher than in other areas in South Korea.
The present study determined the prevalence and geographical distribution of Dirofilaria immitis and other filariae, from dogs in littoral areas of Paraná state, in Brazil. This survey spanned eight months, between 1998 and 1999, and was also designed to compare the efficacy of different tests for diagnosis of heartworm infection in that area. Blood samples were collected from 256 native-owned dogs distributed along the Paraná coastal area. Five diagnostic procedures were used: direct smear examination, the Knott's modified test, filtration assay, and two heartworm antigen detection kits. A follow-up imaging exam was performed to support the heartworm diagnosis. The imaging diagnosis included radiographic and ultrasonographic exams of six dogs that had positive results for the heartworm antigen detection kits, but showed different microfilarial burdens. The presence and severity of radiographic and ultrasonographic signs were compared with the results obtained in microfilariae detection and antigen tests. Diagnostic parasitology results indicated that 31.25% of the dogs were microfilaremic. Three different microfilariae were recovered: D. immitis, Dipetalonema reconditum, and the third (mf3) was not identified. D. reconditum was the species with the highest prevalence: 22.6%. In general, D. immitis prevalence was 5.47% (28.57% occult infections), but it varied along the coast and the range was from 0 to 20%. No correlation could be established between the overall scores for microfilarial counts (small or large numbers) and the severity of radiographic results or the likelihood of detecting filariae in the pulmonary artery using echocardiography. The finding of a different type of microfilaria (mf) suggested the existence of a third species in Paraná state, whose prevalence was 4.68%. These results show that to obtain a reliable diagnosis of heartworm infection, antigen detection kits are indicated. Knott's test or filtration should be performed to confirm microfilaremia and not for diagnosis of heartworm infection. Imaging tests support parasitology exams and add more about severity of infection. The northern areas, specially Guaraqueçaba and Ilha das Peças, presented the highest number of heartworm-infected dogs.
During the past 10 years, the prevalence of canine dirofilariosis in the City of Buenos Aires and its outskirts, particularly in the northern and southern areas, has increased significantly. In the present work, studies were carried out in dogs living in the city and in its northern, western and southern outskirts from 1997 to 2001. For this purpose, 782 blood samples were collected and analyzed to determine circulating antigen, processed with the Witness Merial antigen test. The samples resulted in negative tests for subjects who lived in the city; however, 17.7 and 23.5% of the tests were positive from the northern and southern outskirts, respectively. When analyzed by sex, positive results were distributed as follows: 62.5% males and 37.5% females (P<0.05). No significant statistical difference was found on comparing purebred and cross-breds (P<0.05). It is interesting to point out the geographical distribution of the disease, which confirms that ecological factors such as water currents, abundant vegetation and the existence of mosquitoes all year round, are important for the biological cycle of Dirofilaria immitis.
A method for making microfilarial surveys on day blood The prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in Gran Canaria
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, tropical and subtropical climatic conditions. In recent years, several epidemiological surveys of this disease have been performed in many countries, such as USA and Canada (Selby et al., 1980), Canary Islands (Montoya et al., 1998), Europe (Cringoli et al., 2001; Genchi et al., 2005), Argentina (Rosa et al., 2002), Taiwan (Wu and Fan, 2003), Korea (Song et al., 2003) and Brazil (Reifur et al., 2004). Mexico is an enzootic References Atkins, C., 2005. Canine heartworm disease. In: Ettinger, S.J., Feld-man, E.C. (Eds.), Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine Dis-ease of the Dog and Cat. sixth ed. Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis Missouri, pp. 1118–1136.
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Missouri, pp. 1118-1136.
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