scholarly journals Detection of Dirofilaria immitis using microscopic, serological and molecular techniques among dogs in Cabo Frio, RJ, Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Taíssa Angélica Lemos Trancoso ◽  
Nathália da Conceição Lima ◽  
Alynne Silva Barbosa ◽  
Daniela Leles ◽  
Ana Beatriz Monteiro Fonseca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dirofilaria Immitis ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Species Differentiation ◽  
Canine Heartworm ◽  
Heartworm Disease ◽  
Heartworm Infection ◽  
Acanthocheilonema Reconditum ◽  
Cabo Frio

Abstract 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.

Glomerulosclerosis in Canine Heartworm Infection

1974 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 506-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. F. Simpson ◽  
B. M. Gebhardt ◽  
R. E. Bradley ◽  
R. F. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Immune Complexes ◽  
Tissue Damage ◽  
Basement Membranes ◽  
Canine Heartworm ◽  
Heartworm Disease ◽  
Heartworm Infection ◽  
Glomerular Lesions ◽  
Glomerular Capillaries

The kidneys of seven dogs with natural infections of heartworm disease, four dogs with experimental infections, and six control (uninfected) dogs raised in isolation were examined by light, fluorescent, and electron microscopy. Swelling and fragmentation of the basement membranes accompanied by denudations of endothelial cells and fusion and atrophy of foot processes occurred in the glomeruli of dogs with heartworm disease, but not in control dogs. The severity of tissue damage correlated with the degree of microfilaremia. There was no evidence that the glomerular lesions were caused by immune complexes deposited in the basement membranes; and the alterations of glomerular capillaries were probably caused by motile microfilariae in the capillaries.

Seroprevalence of canine heartworm disease (Dirofilaria immitis) on Tenerife Island: an epidemiological update

2006 ◽  
Vol 100 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Montoya ◽  
M. Morales ◽  
M. C. Juste ◽  
A. Bañares ◽  
F. Simon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dirofilaria Immitis ◽  
Canine Heartworm ◽  
Canine Heartworm Disease ◽  
Heartworm Disease ◽  
Tenerife Island

scholarly journals Canine and Feline Dirofilariasis Currently Spreads in Indonesia Damaging Pulmonary Arteries and Lungs: A Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 814-829
Author(s):  
Marissa Divia Dayanti ◽  
I Wayan Batan ◽  
Aloysiana Margaretha ◽  
Kevin Tri Tama
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Dirofilaria Immitis ◽  
Respiratory Diseases ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Pulmonary Arteries ◽  
Global Perspective ◽  
Pathological Changes ◽  
Serious Infection ◽  
Heartworm Disease ◽  
Heartworm Infection

Dirofilariasis, caused by Dirofilaria immitis, mostly known as heartworm disease, is an important mosquito-borne nematode zoonosis that naturally infects canids and other species such as cats, ferrets, and humans. There have been reports of heartworm infection from many countries in worldwide. Researchers have reported D. immitis is widely distributed in Southeast Asia because this parasitic zoonosis disease lives in temperate, tropical, and subtropical areas and can be found in colder regions. Therefore, the authors intended to provide an overview of Dirofilariasis cases in Indonesia from a global perspective. The published articles of dirofilariasis were collected and retrieved by an electronic literature search of three databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct. The literature presented is intended to enhance our current understanding of the overview of D. immitis infection and its prevalence in Indonesia from a global perspective. D. immitis infection can cause caval syndrome in dogs as well as a cardiopulmonary syndrome known as Heartworm-Associated Respiratory Diseases (HARD), which can become fatal as the number of worms infecting the host increases. Whereas in cats, although the number of worms in the host are very few (one to six worms) they can cause pathological changes in the pulmonary arteries which result in a more serious infection than in dogs and endanger life.

Attraction of mosquitoes to domestic cats in a heartworm enzootic region

2007 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 309-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciana AM Gomes ◽  
Maria Lucia Serrão ◽  
Rosemere Duarte ◽  
Alexandre Bendas ◽  
Norma Labarthe
Keyword(s):  
Blood Meal ◽  
Dirofilaria Immitis ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Diagnostic Efficiency ◽  
Worldwide Distribution ◽  
Heartworm Disease ◽  
Heartworm Infection ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
Genus Identification ◽  
Blood Meal Identification

Heartworm disease is caused by a mosquito-borne parasite that can affect many different mammalian species and has worldwide distribution. The agent, Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy 1856), infect mainly dogs but feline infection have been frequently reported in the last decade. Feline heartworm infection is difficult to detect, therefore, low reported prevalence could reflect true low prevalence or poor diagnostic efficiency. As mosquitoes are known to be attracted differently by different mammalian species, mosquitoes were collected from both a cattery and a contiguous home located in a canine heartworm enzootic area in Niterói, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. For 14 months, mosquitoes were collected weekly for genus identification, speciation when possible, and for individual blood meal identification. Culex species mosquitoes were the most captured and those most frequently found with feline blood meal, followed by Aedes species that, although captured in lower numbers, also fed on feline blood. While Culex species mosquitoes have been reported as potential secondary heartworm vectors for dogs and primary vectors for cats, the present results suggest that Aedes species mosquitoes may also be involved in feline heartworm transmission in a larger proportion than previously thought.

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

2014 ◽  
Vol 89 (5) ◽  
pp. 625-629 ◽  
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.

A serological study of Dirofilaria immitis in feral cats in Grenada, West Indies

2010 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 390-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Fernandez ◽  
A. Chikweto ◽  
S. Mofya ◽  
L. Lanum ◽  
P. Flynn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dirofilaria Immitis ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Feral Cat ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Heartworm Disease ◽  
Heartworm Infection ◽  
Circulating Antigens ◽  
Circulating Antibodies

AbstractA study to determine the seroprevalence of Dirofilaria immitis was carried out in feral cats in Grenada. Of the 137 feral cats tested for circulating antibodies (IgG; lateral-flow immunoassay) and circulating antigens (Ag; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), 8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.5–12.5%) were antibody positive and 5.1% (95% CI 1.4–8.8%) were antigen positive. No significant difference between cats aged>1 to 4 years and cats less than 1 year of age was found (P>0.05, χ2). There was also no significant difference (P>0.05, χ2) between male and female cats. Dirofilaria immitis prevalence is relatively high in the feral cat population of Grenada. Evidence of D. immitis infection in feral cats coupled with the endemic nature of heartworm disease in dogs in Grenada leads us to suggest the introduction of heartworm prophylaxis in cats. To the authors' knowledge, this serological evidence of heartworm infection in feral cats in Grenada is the first report from the Caribbean region.

scholarly journals Stray dogs of Sofia (Bulgaria) could be an important reservoir of heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis)

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 329-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Stoyanova ◽  
E. Carretón ◽  
J. A. Montoya-Alonso
Keyword(s):  
Metropolitan Area ◽  
Dirofilaria Immitis ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Emerging Disease ◽  
Stray Dogs ◽  
Canine Heartworm ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Prophylactic Measures ◽  
The City

SummaryDirofilaria immitis (heartworm) is a zoonotic and an emerging disease, expanding in Europe. In Bulgaria, the presence of the parasite has been described in many regions. However, canine heartworm has hardly been evaluated in the capital of the country and, therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and distribution of canine heartworm in Sofia. Eighty stray dogs from the city of Sofia and the metropolitan area were analysed for circulating D. immitis antigens. The prevalence was 31.25 %, being 34.7 % in the metropolitan area and 25.8 % in the city of Sofia. The current results are among the highest reported in the country. This could be due to the lack of prophylactic measures against infection in these dogs, but also to the spread of D. immitis into non-endemic countries. Stray dogs may act as an important reservoir of heartworm being a risk for client-owned animals and for the development of pulmonary dirofilariosis in inhabitants. The results show the need to establish further epidemiological studies and prophylactic campaigns for stray and client-owned animals, as well as to create awareness campaigns about the severity and importance of this disease for both animals and humans.

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

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.

scholarly journals Laboratory and field studies to investigate the efficacy of a novel, orally administered combination product containing moxidectin, sarolaner and pyrantel for the prevention of heartworm disease (Dirofilaria immitis) in dogs

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Kryda ◽  
Robert H. Six ◽  
Kelly F. Walsh ◽  
Susan J. Holzmer ◽  
Sara Chapin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Field Study ◽  
Mississippi River ◽  
Dirofilaria Immitis ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Combination Product ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Chewable Tablet ◽  
Heartworm Disease ◽  
Heartworm Infection ◽  
Lower Mississippi River

Abstract Background Dirofilaria immitis is a filarial parasite of dogs that can cause serious or fatal cardiopulmonary disease. Three studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of monthly treatment with moxidectin in a chewable tablet product in combination with sarolaner and pyrantel to prevent heartworm disease in dogs after experimental challenge and in a clinical field study in the USA. Methods In two laboratory studies, dogs (8 per group) that had been inoculated 30 days prior with 50 third-stage D. immitis larvae were randomized to treatment on Day 0 with placebo or combination product, at the minimum dose of 24 µg/kg moxidectin, 2 mg/kg sarolaner and 5 mg/kg pyrantel (as pamoate salt). Study 2 also included groups treated with tablets containing moxidectin-alone (24 µg/kg) or sarolaner-alone (2 mg/kg). Efficacy was evaluated ~ 5 months after inoculation by adult heartworm counts at necropsy. In the field study, 410 dogs ≥ 8 weeks-old from 23 USA veterinary clinics were treated for 11 months with either combination product at 24–48 µg/kg moxidectin, 2–4 mg/kg sarolaner and 5–10 mg/kg pyrantel (n = 272) or Heartgard® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) at the label recommended dose rate (n = 138). Efficacy was evaluated on Day 330 using antigen and microfilaria testing to assess adult heartworm infection. Results In the laboratory studies, there were no heartworms recovered from any dog treated with the combination product or moxidectin alone and all dogs treated with placebo or sarolaner-alone were infected with 20–44 adult heartworms. In the field study, all dogs treated with the combination product tested negative for heartworm infection on Day 330, whereas two dogs treated with Heartgard® Plus tested positive. The Heartgard® Plus-treated dogs that tested heartworm positive were from the lower Mississippi River Valley region, where heartworm resistance has been confirmed to occur. The combination product was well tolerated in all studies. Conclusions In laboratory studies, no heartworms were recovered from dogs treated with a single dose of the novel combination product containing moxidectin, sarolaner and pyrantel. Additionally, in the field study no dog tested positive for adult heartworm infection when dosed with the combination product monthly for 11 months, while two dogs treated with Heartgard® Plus tested positive.

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