Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens in mosquitoes from Corsica Island, France

Abstract Background Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are the main causative agents of heartworm disease and subcutaneous dirofilariasis in domestic and wild canids, respectively. Both pathogens have zoonotic potential and are transmitted by mosquitoes. The present study aimed to determine the transmission period, prevalence and diversity of Dirofilaria spp. vectors from endemic areas of Corsica (France). Methods A monthly point data model based on average temperature recorded by four meteorological stations during 2017 was used to calculate the Dirofilaria transmission period. From June to September 2017, female mosquitoes (n = 1802) were captured using Biogents® Sentinel 2 traps lured with carbon dioxide and BG-Lure™ or octanol. Mosquitoes were identified to species level, pooled accordingly, and screened using multiplex real-time qPCR to detect D. immitis and D. repens. Results The monthly point data model showed the possible transmission of Dirofilaria spp. from the third week in May to the last week in October in the studied area. Mosquitoes were identified as Ochlerotatus caspius (n = 1432), Aedes albopictus (n = 199), Culex pipiens sensu lato (n = 165) and Aedes vexans (n = 6) and were grouped into 109 pools (from 1 to 27 specimens, mean 11.4 ± 0.7), of which 16 scored positive for Dirofilaria spp. (i.e., n = 13; estimated infection rate [EIR] = 1.1% for D. immitis and n = 3; EIR = 0.2% for D. repens). Specifically, 6 (i.e., EIR = 3.8%) of 15 pools of Ae. albopictus were positive for D. immitis, 2 of 14 of Cx. pipiens s.l. were positive for D. immitis and D. repens, respectively, and 8 of 77 pools of Oc. caspius were positive for D. immitis (i.e., n = 6; EIR = 0.4%) and D. repens (i.e., 2; EIR = 0.1%). The highest mosquito infection rate was recorded in July (EIR = 2.5%), then in June (EIR = 1.3%) and September (EIR = 0.6%). Conclusions The data suggest that both Dirofilaria species are endemic and occur possibly in sympatry in the studied area in Corsica, highlighting the need to implement preventive chemoprophylaxis and vector control strategies to reduce the risk of these filarioids in dog and human populations. Graphical Abstract

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Circulation of Dirofilaria repens and Dirofilaria immitis in Moldova

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-016-1916-4 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Tatiana Șuleșco ◽

Heidrun von Thien ◽

Lidia Toderaș ◽

Ion Toderaș ◽

Renke Lühken ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dirofilaria Immitis ◽

Dirofilaria Repens

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Dirofilaria repens in a cat with acute liver failure : case report

Journal of the South African Veterinary Association ◽

10.4102/jsava.v71i3.713 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 71 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

E.V. Schwan ◽

D.B. Miller ◽

D. De Kock ◽

A. Van Heerden

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Case Report ◽

Acid Phosphatase ◽

Liver Failure ◽

Acute Liver Failure ◽

Dirofilaria Immitis ◽

Dirofilaria Repens ◽

Fine Needle Aspirate ◽

Fine Needle ◽

Antigen Capture

Acute liver failure was diagnosed in a 12-year-old cat. Fine needle aspirate cytology revealed high numbers of unsheathed microfilariae and a hepatocellular reaction with no evidence of bacterial infection. The microfilariae were identified as those of Dirofilaria repens by acid phosphatase staining. The high number of microfilariae seen in both the blood and the liver aspirate samples as well as the favourable response to ivermectin amongst other drugs administered, is suggestive that D. repens was the cause of the liver insult. A positive result obtained with an antigen-capture ELISA (Dirochek (r)) for Dirofilaria immitis antigen was interpreted as false. This is the 1st report of Dirofilaria repens for South Africa.

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Clinical and pathological effects of Dirofilaria repens and Dirofilaria immitis in a dog with a natural co-infection

Parasitology International ◽

10.1016/j.parint.2017.02.003 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 66 (3) ◽

pp. 331-334 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Mircea Mircean ◽

Angela Monica Ionică ◽

Viorica Mircean ◽

Adriana Györke ◽

Andrei Răzvan Codea ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dirofilaria Immitis ◽

Dirofilaria Repens

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Histochemical differentiation of Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilaria repens and Acanthocheilonema dracunculoides microfilariae by staining with a commercial kit, Leucognost-SP®

Veterinary Parasitology ◽

10.1016/s0304-4017(01)00516-7 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 102 (1-2) ◽

pp. 173-175 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Miguel A. Peribáñez ◽

Javier Lucientes ◽

Sergio Arce ◽

Mariano Morales ◽

Juan A. Castillo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dirofilaria Immitis ◽

Dirofilaria Repens ◽

Commercial Kit

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No Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Circulation in Rome (Italy) during the Pre-Pandemic Period: Results of a Retrospective Surveillance

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17228461 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (22) ◽

pp. 8461

Author(s):

Carlo Capalbo ◽

Enrico Bertamino ◽

Alessandro Zerbetto ◽

Iolanda Santino ◽

Andrea Petrucca ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Control Strategies ◽

Local Level ◽

Central Italy ◽

Total Sample ◽

World Health ◽

Infection Prevalence ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Causative Agents ◽

Definition Of ◽

Health Organization

In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the COVID-19 outbreak recorded over the previous months could be characterized as a pandemic. The first known Italian SARS-CoV-2 positive case was reported on 21 February. In some countries, cases of suspected “COVID-19-like pneumonia” had been reported earlier than those officially accepted by health authorities. This has led many investigators to check preserved biological or environmental samples to see whether the virus was detectable on dates prior to those officially stated. With regard to Italy, the results of a microbiological screening in sewage samples collected between the end of February and the beginning of April 2020 from wastewaters in Milan (Northern Italy) and Rome (Central Italy) showed presence of SARS-CoV-2. In the present study, we evaluated, by means of a standardized diagnostic method, the SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence amongst patients affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARI) in an academic hospital located in Central Italy during the period of 1 November 2019–1 March 2020. Overall, the number of emergency room (ER) visits during the investigated period was 13,843. Of these, 1208 had an influenza-like syndrome, but only 166 matched the definition of SARI as stated in the study protocol. A total of 52 SARI cases were laboratory confirmed as influenza: 26 as a type B virus, 25 as a type A, and 1 as both viruses. Although about 17% of the total sample had laboratory or radiological data compatible with COVID-19, all the nasopharyngeal swabs stored underwent SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR and tested negative. Based on our result, it is confirmed that the COVID-19 pandemic spread did not start prior to the “official” onset in central Italy. Routine monitoring of SARI causative agents at the local level is critical for reporting epidemiologic and etiologic trends that may differ from one country to another and also among different influenza seasons. This has a practical impact on prevention and control strategies.

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Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Bacteremia in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients

Journal of Pharmacy Practice ◽

10.1177/0897190019868056 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 089719001986805 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kayla R. Stover ◽

Austin Morrison ◽

Tia Collier ◽

Elisabeth Schneider ◽

Jamie L. Wagner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Methicillin Resistance ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Positive Culture ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Tertiary Referral Center ◽

Adolescent Patients ◽

Causative Agents ◽

Patients At Risk ◽

Associated Risk Factors

Background: Epidemiology and risk factors for bacteremia in pediatric and adolescent patients have not been fully elucidated. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify primary causative agents of bacteremia in pediatric and adolescent patients and associated risk factors. We hypothesized that these would be different than those seen in adults. Patients and Methods: This retrospective cohort, epidemiologic evaluation included patients admitted to a tertiary referral center from January 01, 2013, to December 31, 2015. Patients <18 years old with a confirmed positive blood culture were included; the first positive culture per organism per patient was analyzed. The primary outcome was to determine the most frequent causative organisms of bacteremia; the secondary outcome was an evaluation of risk factors for acquiring staphylococcal bacteremia. Results: A total of 913 isolates were evaluated, including 92 unique organisms. The most frequently identified were Staphylococcus epidermidis (238/913, 26.1%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (136/913, 14.9%). Methicillin resistance was observed in 60.3% of S aureus. Two hundred thirty-six patients were included in the risk factor analysis. Prematurity, previous antibiotics, and intubation/ventilation were more likely associated with S epidermidis ( P < .001, P < .001, and P = .032, respectively). Patients with a recent or previous hospitalization and those with dermatitis/eczema were statistically more likely to grow S aureus ( P < .001, P = .029, respectively). Conclusions: Although epidemiology of organisms associated with pediatric and adolescent bacteremia was similar to adults, risk factors were different than seen in that population. Further understanding of these risk factors may be helpful in developing preemptive infection control strategies in patients at risk.

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Prevalence and distribution of Dirofilaria immitis infection in wild canids in southern Ontario

Veterinary Parasitology Regional Studies and Reports ◽

10.1016/j.vprsr.2019.100349 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. 100349

Author(s):

Jonathon D. Kotwa ◽

Claire M. Jardine ◽

Olaf Berke ◽

David L. Pearl ◽

Nicola J. Mercer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dirofilaria Immitis ◽

Southern Ontario ◽

Wild Canids

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The presence of filarial parasites of dogs in Serrae Province

Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society ◽

10.12681/jhvms.15728 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 50 (4) ◽

pp. 315 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

A. FOUNTA (Α. ΦΟΥΝΤΑ) ◽

Y. THEODORIDIS (Ι. ΘΕΟΔΩΡΙΔΗΣ) ◽

S. FRYDAS (Σ. ΦΡΥΔΑΣ) ◽

S. CHLIOUNAKIS (Σ. ΧΛΕΙΟΥΝΑΚΗΣ)

Keyword(s):

Mixed Infection ◽

Dirofilaria Immitis ◽

Dirofilaria Repens ◽

Single Infection ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Male And Female ◽

Parasitic Species ◽

Significant Difference

Blood samples of 252 male and female dogs, aged between 7 months and 12 years, different races, and usefulness (utilities), which came from lowland and demi-highland and highland districts of Serrae province, of Macedonia-Greece. The purpose of this survey was to find out the infected dogs with filarial parasites. Ninety six (38,1%) out of the examined dogs were found to be infected with one or more parasitic species. The 86 (34,13%) dogs were infected with Dirofilaria immitis, the 84 (33,33%) dogs were infected with Dirofilaria repens and the 10 (3,97%) dogs were infected with Dipetalonema reconditum. Single infection, with Dirofilaria immitis was observed in 9, with Dirofilaria repens in 7, whereas, no single infection with Dipetalonema reconditum were observed. Mixed infection with Dirofilaria immitis + Dirafilaria repens were observed in 66, with Dirofilaria immitis + Dipetalonema reconditum were observed in 2, with Dirofilaria repens + Dipetalonema reconditum in 2 and finely, in 10 the combination with Dirofilaria immitis + Dirofilaria repens + Dipetalonema reconditum. The microfilarial burden per ml of the infected dogs fluctuated between 85 and 7.375. There were no any significant difference between the different group of dogs according sex, age, usefulness, longhair or shorthair as well as lowland and semi-highland districts, on the percentage of infected or microfilarial population of each.

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