Report of Dirofilaria immitis infection with acute cardiopulmonary complications in a cat from Northeastern Brazil

Dirofilariasis is a zoonotic disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis, a nematode found mainly in the pulmonary artery and right chambers of the heart, lungs, and large vessels of dogs. This parasitism also occasionally occurs in cats, causing an amicrofilaremic and asymptomatic infection, resulting in severe illness and rapid death. In this case report, it was described acute clinical signs and histopathological alterations in a domestic cat with heartworm disease from the city of Mossoró, the Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The nematode species, D. immitis, was confirmed by morphological and molecular analyses. This is the first documented and full report of feline heartworm disease in northeastern Brazil.

Download Full-text

OCCURRENCE OF FILARID PARASITES IN HOUSEHOLD AND SHELTERED DOGS IN THE CITY OF JOINVILLE – SANTA CATARINA, BRAZIL

Ciência Animal Brasileira ◽

10.1590/1809-6891v20e-53529 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

Author(s):

Anna Karina Kannenberg ◽

Luca Frondana ◽

Igor Henrique Rodrigues Martins ◽

Charlene Edianez Longhi ◽

Michele Müller Fialkowski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dirofilaria Immitis ◽

Animal Health ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Clinical Suspicion ◽

Preventive Actions ◽

Three Samples ◽

Heartworm Disease ◽

Acanthocheilonema Reconditum ◽

The City ◽

Epidemiological Information

Abstract Parasites from the Filariidae family are among the nematodes that can infest dogs. Some may be apathogenic, such as Acanthocheilonema reconditum, and others such as Dirofilaria immitis are potentially zoonotic and may lead dogs to death. Thus, the aim of this study was to perform a survey on filarid infection in dogs with a fixed domicile and wandering dogs temporarily sheltered in the city of Joinville, SC, Brazil. Blood samples from 429 animals were collected from 2015 to 2017 and submitted to screening for microfilariae and/or D. immitis antigens. Our results revealed that twenty-four samples (5.6%) displayed A. reconditum microfilariae and three samples (0.7%) were positive for D. immitis, totaling 27 (6.3%) positive animals for filarid parasites. Additionally, A. reconditum was more prevalent in dogs from shelters, whereas the three D. immitis positive samples were from household dogs that displayed no clinical signs of the presence of parasites. The occurrence of these parasites in dogs from Joinville indicates the importance of differential diagnosis of microfilaria species for the correct clinical management of infected dogs. Our epidemiological information may help the medical and veterinary community of the region regarding clinical suspicion of canine and human heartworm disease, as well as guide preventive actions targeting public and animal health.

Download Full-text

First Autochthonous Infection of a Cat with Dirofilaria immitis in Austria

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10091104 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1104 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lisa-Maria Kulmer ◽

Maria Sophia Unterköfler ◽

Hans-Peter Fuehrer ◽

Varvara Janovska ◽

Matus Pagac ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Case Report ◽

Dirofilaria Immitis ◽

Complete Blood Count ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Surgical Removal ◽

Negative Results ◽

Heartworm Disease ◽

History Of ◽

One Year ◽

The Right

This case report is about a seven-year-old male neutered European Shorthair cat infected by Dirofilaria immitis as the first reported autochthonous Dirofilaria immitis infection in Austria. There was no history of periods abroad. Echocardiography showed suspected D. immitis in the right cardiac chamber with increased pulmonary pressure and ascites. Surgical removal of the heartworms was performed. Twenty adult heartworms were removed by transvenous jugular approach under general anesthesia and stored in 4% formalin. Five out of 20 specimens were examined via light and stereomicroscopy and feline heartworm infection was confirmed. Amplification of a 203 bp or 724 bp fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene was unsuccessful. After surgery the cat developed acute renal failure but recovered quickly. One year later, the cat underwent a control examination including echocardiography and blood work. There were no more D. immitis detectable at echocardiography. Lung pressure was mildly increased. Complete blood count and creatinine were unremarkable. The Knott’s test and Dirofilaria-Antigen-test produced negative results. The cat did not show any clinical signs during the follow-up period. The aim of this case report is to highlight the growing risk of acquiring infection with D. immitis not only for Austrian dogs, but also for cats. This case report represents the first report of autochthonous D. immitis infection in Austria. Moreover, even if the prognosis in cats with caval syndrome due to feline heartworm disease is guarded to poor, surgical removal of the filariae can be a successful treatment option.

Download Full-text

Seroprevalence of heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) in feline and canine hosts from central and northern Portugal

Journal of Helminthology ◽

10.1017/s0022149x14000352 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 89 (5) ◽

pp. 625-629 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

L. Vieira ◽

A.C. Silvestre-Ferreira ◽

A.P. Fontes-Sousa ◽

A.C. Balreira ◽

R. Morchón ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dirofilaria Immitis ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Differential Diagnoses ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Canine Heartworm ◽

Northern Portugal ◽

Canine Heartworm Disease ◽

Heartworm Disease

AbstractDirofilaria immitis is endemic in Portugal. Several studies have reported the presence of canine heartworm disease, although no previous studies on feline infections have been published. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of D. immitis in cats and dogs from central and northern Portugal. Blood samples from 434 cats were tested for circulating anti-D. immitis and anti-Wolbachia antibodies. Furthermore, 386 dogs were tested for circulating D. immitis antigens. Overall feline seroprevalence was 15%, while canine prevalence was 2.1%. The highest feline seroprevalences of 18.7% and 17.6% were found in Aveiro and Viseu, respectively, while the highest canine prevalences of 8.8% and 6.8% were found in Coimbra and Aveiro, respectively. Cats and dogs showing respiratory signs presented higher prevalences of 24.4% and 17%, respectively, while 50% of cats with gastrointestinal signs were seropositive. The present study confirms the seropositivity of D. immitis in the feline population in central and northern Portugal, and suggests the importance of including heartworm disease in the list of differential diagnoses of cats and dogs showing clinical signs compatible with the disease.

Download Full-text

Monoclonal Gammopathy Associated With Heartworm Disease in a Dog

Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association ◽

10.5326/0450296 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 45 (6) ◽

pp. 296-300 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Donato de Caprariis ◽

Mariateresa Sasanelli ◽

Paola Paradies ◽

Domenico Otranto ◽

Riccardo Lia

Keyword(s):

Monoclonal Gammopathy ◽

Dirofilaria Immitis ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Response To Treatment ◽

Antigen Test ◽

Direct Examination ◽

Intact Female ◽

Blood Smears ◽

Heartworm Disease ◽

Yorkshire Terrier

A 12-year-old, intact female, mixed Yorkshire terrier was evaluated for syncopal episodes, weakness, decreased appetite, and weight loss. Heartworm disease was diagnosed based on evidence of circulating microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis on direct examination of blood smears and a positive SNAP heartworm antigen test. An immunoglobulin G (IgG) gammopathy, demonstrated by serum protein electrophoresis, was associated with heartworm disease in this dog. Response to treatment with both an adulticide and the microfilaricide ivermectin included remission of clinical signs and a decrease in the monoclonal gammopathy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an IgG gammopathy associated with heartworm disease in the dog.

Download Full-text

The fatal case of an autochthonous heartworm disease in a dog from a non-endemic region of south-eastern Slovakia

Helminthologia ◽

10.2478/helm-2020-0023 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 57 (2) ◽

pp. 154-157 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M. Miterpáková ◽

H. Zborovská ◽

B. Bielik ◽

M. Halán

Keyword(s):

Dirofilaria Immitis ◽

Fatal Case ◽

Pulmonary Arteries ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Endemic Region ◽

Right Heart ◽

South Eastern ◽

The Past ◽

Heartworm Disease ◽

The Right

SummaryDuring the past few years, several localities with increasing Dirofilaria immitis occurrences have been identified in Slovakia; particularly in areas regarded as endemic for Dirofilaria repens up until now. In terms of that, dogs with clinically manifested heartworm disease have been referred to the veterinary ambulances more frequently. We report in this study, two autochthonous cases of D. immitisinfections diagnosed in two seven-year-old siblings of Tibetan Mastiff dogs from the Košice region of south-eastern Slovakia. The course of the disease in both dogs were very different. The female dog did not manifest any unusual findings, however the male dog exhibited severe clinical signs of heartworm disease that lead to his death. The subsequent autopsy revealed adult D. immitis worms in the right heart ventricle and pulmonary arteries.

Download Full-text

Pulmonary arterial hypertension in a cat with restrictive cardiomyopathy – a case report

Clínica Veterinária ◽

10.46958/rcv.2018.xxiii.n.132.p.66-74 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol XXIII (132) ◽

pp. 66-74

Author(s):

Elizabeth Regina Carvalho

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Case Report ◽

Pulmonary Thromboembolism ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Restrictive Cardiomyopathy ◽

Domestic Cat ◽

Heartworm Disease ◽

History Of ◽

Pulmonary Arterial ◽

Patent Ductus

Feline pulmonary arterial (PAH) is an unusual and minimally reported condition that can lead to right ventricular insufficiency and death. In cats, PAH was reported in cases in which it was secondary to heartworm disease, pulmonary thromboembolism and patent ductus arteriousus. This is a case report of an elderly domestic cat with medical history of dyspnea, fatigue and pleural effusion, which was diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy and PAH upon echocardiography. The progression of restrictive cardiomyopathy can be silent due to the owners’ inability to recognize clinical signs of heart failure. In spite of the few reports in cats, it is reasonable that PAH be part of differential diagnosis on patients presenting signs of cardiopulmonary decompensation.

Download Full-text

Genomic investigation of a dengue virus outbreak in Thiès, Senegal, in 2018

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-89070-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Amy Gaye ◽

Tolla Ndiaye ◽

Mouhamad Sy ◽

Awa B. Deme ◽

Alphonse B. Thiaw ◽

...

Keyword(s):

West Africa ◽

Dengue Virus ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Health Concern ◽

Public Health Concern ◽

Local Circulation ◽

Viral Genomes ◽

Genomic Characterization ◽

The City

AbstractDengue virus is a major and rapidly growing public health concern in tropic and subtropic regions across the globe. In late 2018, Senegal experienced its largest dengue virus outbreak to date, covering several regions. However, little is known about the genetic diversity of dengue virus (DENV) in Senegal. Here we report complete viral genomes from 17 previously undetected DENV cases from the city of Thiès. In total we identified 19 cases of DENV in a cohort of 198 individuals with fever collected in October and November 2018. We detected 3 co-circulating serotypes; DENV 3 was the most frequent accounting for 11/17 sequences (65%), 4 (23%) were DENV2 and 2 (12%) were DENV1. Sequences were most similar to recent sequences from West Africa, suggesting ongoing local circulation of viral populations; however, detailed inference is limited by the scarcity of available genomic data. We did not find clear associations with reported clinical signs or symptoms, highlighting the importance of testing for diagnosing febrile diseases. Overall, these findings expand the known range of DENV in Senegal, and underscore the need for better genomic characterization of DENV in West Africa.

Download Full-text

Kejadian Leptospirosis pada Anjing di Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (CASE OF CANINE LEPTOSPIROSIS IN THE CITY OF YOGYAKARTA)

jurnal veteriner ◽

10.19087/jveteriner.2017.18.3.403 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 403

Author(s):

Guntari Titik Mulyani ◽

Sri Hartati ◽

Yuli Santoso ◽

Kurnia Kurnia ◽

Agung Budi Pramono ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Infectious Diseases ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽

Agglutination Test ◽

Microscopic Agglutination Test ◽

Severe Illness ◽

Leptospira Interrogans ◽

Veterinary Research ◽

History Of ◽

The City

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, which is caused by Leptospira interrogans. The incidence of leptospirosis in dogs varies according to region and season, and is considered as emerging infectious diseases in humans. Clinical symptoms of leptospirosis in dogs vary greatly, some dogs are asymptomatic, with mild symptoms, and others progress to severe illness until death. The study aims to determine cases of canine leptospirosis in Yogyakarta, and identify the serovar that infect them. A total of 20 dogs without symptoms, with mild symptoms, to severe symptoms of leptospirosis were collected their serum and further tested using Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) conducted at the Center for Veterinary Research (BBLitvet) Bogor. History of vaccination is recorded as a consideration in interpreting the MAT results. The results showed that three out of the 20 samples were positive leptospirosis. Of the three positive samples, one was identified as serovar bataviae, another one as serovar bataviae and tarrasovi, and the last as serovar bataviae, tarrasovi, ichterohaemorrhagiae, canicola, celledoni, pyrogenes, cynopteri, and rachmati, respectively. The three dogs with leptospirosis showed similar clinical symptoms i.e. Anorexia, lethargy, and fever. It can be concluded that there are cases of canine leptospirosis in Yogyakarta which is predominantly caused by Leptospira interrogans serovar bataviae. ABSTRAK Leptospirosis adalah penyakit zoonosis, yang disebabkan oleh Leptospira interrogans. Kejadian leptospirosis pada anjing bervariasi menurut wilayah dan musim, dan dianggap sebagai penyakit menular yang muncul pada manusia. Gejala klinis leptospirosis pada anjing sangat bervariasi, beberapa anjing tanpa menunjukkan gejala, dengan gejala ringan, dan yang lain melanjut menjadi penyakit yang parah sampai kematian. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kasus leptospirosis pada anjing di Propinsi Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, dan mengidentifikasi serovar yang menginfeksinya. Sebanyak 20 ekor anjing tanpa gejala, dengan gejala ringan, sampai gejala parah leptospirosis diambil serumnya guna pemeriksaan Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) yang dilaksanakan di Balai Besar Penelitian Veteriner (BBLitvet), Bogor. Sejarah vaksinasi dicatat sebagai bahan pertimbangan dalam menginterpretasi hasil pemeriksaan MAT. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tiga dari 20 sampel positif leptospirosis. Satu sampel positif terhadap serovar Bataviae, satu sampel positif terhadap serovar Bataviae dan Tarrasovi, dan satu sampel lagi positif terhadap serovar Bataviae, Tarrasovi, Ichterohaemorrhagiae, Canicola, Celledoni, Pyrogenes, Cynopteri, dan Rachmati. Anjing yang positif leptospirosis menunjukkan gejala klinis yang sama berupa anoreksia, kelemahan, dan demam. Dari hasil penelitian ini dapat disimpulkan bahwa terdapat kasus leptospirosis pada anjing di Yogyakarta yang penyebabnya dominan oleh Leptospira interrogans serovar Bataviae.

Download Full-text