scholarly journals Current situation of the presence of the zoonotic nematode Dirofilaria immitis in dogs and humans in Bucaramanga, Colombia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.Victoria Esteban-Mendoza ◽  
Víctor Arcila-Quiceno ◽  
J. Albarracín-Navas ◽  
Isabel Hernández ◽  
C. Flechas Alarcón ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis caused by Dirofilaria immitis is a zoonotic, vector-borne infection, whose main hosts are both domestic and wild canids and which can be transmitted to humans. It mainly occurs in tropical and subtropical climates, and temperature and humidity are the main factors that favor the presence and proliferation of Culicidae mosquitoes. There have been few reports of this disease in dogs and humans in Colombia, a region with favorable climatic conditions for the development of this disease. Therefore, this research aimed to study its current prevalence in dogs and the risk of human exposure to the disease in Bucaramanga, one of the most populated areas in Colombia located at the center of the country. Furthermore, its demographic and environmental characteristics could be useful as a study model for other similar locations and neighboring countries. Method: Serum samples from 351 dogs and 506 humans from the Bucaramanga metropolitan area were analyzed. All dog samples were tested with a commercial immunochromatographic test kit to detect the presence of circulating antigens of D. immitis. Human samples were analyzed using a non-commercial ELISA test kit to detect IgG against the somatic antigens of adult D. immitis and Wolbachia. Positive results were further confirmed using a Western blot analysis. Results: Dirofilaria immitis prevalence was 10.82% (95% CI) in dogs and 5.12% (95% CI) in microfilaremic dogs. Seroprevalence in humans was 6.71% (95% CI) and was significantly higher in individuals aged 16–34 years and in women than in men. Conclusions: This study describes seropositivity to D. immitis for the first time in a Colombian human population located in the same area as that of dogs infected with D. immitis, which represents a potential threat to public health. In humans, age and sex can be considered risk factors for exposure to D. immitis.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.Victoria Esteban-Mendoza ◽  
Víctor Arcila-Quiceno ◽  
Javier Hernando Albarracín-Navas ◽  
Isabel Hernández ◽  
María Camila Flechas-Alarcón ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The cardiopulmonary dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria immitis, is a vector-born infection, which can be transmitted to humans. The main host are both domestic and wild canids. It mainly occurs in tropical and subtropical climates, temperature and humidity are the main factors that favor the presence and proliferation of Culicidae mosquitoes. There are few reports of this disease in dogs and humans in Colombia, a region with favorable climatic conditions for the development of this disease. Therefore, this research aimed to study its current prevalence in dogs and the risk of human exposure to the disease in Bucaramanga, one of the most populated areas in Colombia located at the center of the country. Furthermore, its demographic and environmental characteristics could be useful as a study model for other similar locations and neighboring countries.Method: Serum samples from 351 dogs and 506 humans from the Bucaramanga metropolitan area were analyzed. All dog samples were tested with a commercial immunochromatographic test kit to detect the presence of circulating antigens of D. immitis. Human samples were analyzed using a non-commercial ELISA test kit to detect IgG against the somatic antigens of adult D. immitis and Wolbachia. Positive results were further confirmed using a Western blot analysis.Results: Dirofilaria immitis prevalence was 10.82% (95% CI) in dogs and 5.12% (95% CI) in microfilaremic dogs. Seroprevalence in humans was 6.71% (95% CI) and was significantly higher in individuals aged 16–34 years and in women than in men.Conclusions:This study describes seropositivity to D. immitis for the first time in a Colombian human population located in the same area as that of dogs infected with D. immitis, which represents a potential threat to public health. In humans, age and sex can be considered risk factors for exposure to D. immitis.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.Victoria Esteban-Mendoza ◽  
Víctor Arcila-Quiceno ◽  
Javier Hernando Albarracín-Navas ◽  
Isabel Hernández ◽  
María Camila Flechas-Alarcón N ◽  
...  

Abstract Background : The cardiopulmonary dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria immitis, is a vector-born infection, which can be transmitted to humans. The main host are both domestic and wild canids. It mainly occurs in tropical and subtropical climates, temperature and humidity are the main factors that favor the presence and proliferation of Culicidae mosquitoes. There are few reports of this disease in dogs and humans in Colombia, a region with favorable climatic conditions for the development of this disease. Therefore, this research aimed to study its current prevalence in dogs and the risk of human exposure to the disease in Bucaramanga, one of the most populated areas in Colombia located at the center of the country. Furthermore, its demographic and environmental characteristics could be useful as a study model for other similar locations and neighboring countries. Method: Serum samples from 351 dogs and 506 humans from the Bucaramanga metropolitan area were analyzed. All dog samples were tested with a commercial immunochromatographic test kit to detect the presence of circulating antigens of D. immitis . Human samples were analyzed using a non-commercial ELISA test kit to detect IgG against the somatic antigens of adult D. immitis and Wolbachia . Positive results were further confirmed using a Western blot analysis. Results: Dirofilaria immitis prevalence was 10.82% (95% CI) in dogs and 5.12% (95% CI) in microfilaremic dogs. Seroprevalence in humans was 6.71% (95% CI) and was significantly higher in individuals aged 16–34 years and in women than in men. Conclusions: This study describes seropositivity to D. immitis for the first time in a Colombian human population located in the same area as that of dogs infected with D. immitis , which represents a potential threat to public health. In humans, age and sex can be considered risk factors for exposure to D. immitis .


2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 337-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Plut ◽  
Ivan Toplak ◽  
Marina Štukelj

Over the last few years several porcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED) outbreaks have been discovered in Europe including the first PED case in Slovenia in January 2015. The aim of this study was to determine when PED virus (PEDV) infection started in Slovenia. Serum samples collected between 2012 and 2016 were tested. Three hundred and seventy-five serum samples were collected from 132 Slovenian small, one-site pig farms. Samples were tested for PEDV antibodies utilising three different serological methods: commercially-available indirect ELISA, in-house blocking ELISA test and Immunoperoxidase Monolayer Assay (IPMA) test. One hundred and seventy (45.33%) tested samples were found positive by the commercially-available ELISA test kit, and 10 (5.68%) of these 170 samples found positive were positive by the in-house blocking ELISA. Only these 10 samples were collected from a farm where clinical signs of PED infection had been observed and PEDV was confirmed by RT-PCR methodology; the other 160 samples were collected randomly. Thirty-two samples with the highest S/P value obtained with the commercial ELISA were all negative with IPMA. Reasons for the high variance in the results obtained remain unclear; more research is required to ensure higher sensitivity and specificity in terms of PEDV antibody tests and other PED diagnostic methods.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-378
Author(s):  
A. Chapagain ◽  
S. Singh ◽  
D.B. Thapa ◽  
D. Bhattarai

Japanese Encephalitis (JE) a vector borne zoonoitc disease caused by arbovirus of Flavivirus and transmitted by Culex tritaeniorhynchus additionally pig acts as amplifying host for the virus. A total 115 swine serum samples 100 pig farmers from each district were tested against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection. The collected samples were analyzed by using “Porcine Encephalitis B Virus Antibody Rapid Test Kit”. Among them 17% samples were positive for JE while 83% samples were negative for JE. Total 18% were positive for JE in Morang district while 115.4% were positive for Kathmandu district. There was no significant difference in prevalence of JE in these two districts (p>0.05). In Kathmandu, the prevalence was 15.4% while in Morang it was slightly higher, 18%. 9.5% younger pigs of 3-9 months of age were positive for JE and 20.6% of age above 9 months were positive of JE but were no significant (p>0.05). Similarly, 17.9% female pigs and 14.6% male pigs were positive for JE however difference was not significantly different. In case of breed, no association of pigs with seropositivity (p>0.05), 7 (13.5%) out of 52 local breed pigs and 12 (19.1%) out of 63 were JE positive. The prevalence rate of JEV was higher in Morang district among study area which might be due to several factors like lack of education in pig farmers, non vaccinated pig population and lack of awareness regarding risk factor of JEV. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 6(4): 373-378


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doroteja Marcic ◽  
Aleksandar Potkonjak ◽  
Marina Zekic Stosic ◽  
Ljubica Spasojevic-Kosic ◽  
Ivan Pusic ◽  
...  

Background: Dirofilaria immitis is vector borne parasite of carnivores, with zoonotic potential, endemic in many parts of the world, including Europe. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs from shelters, especially compared to their lifestyle. Dogs living in shelters in Serbia may be at high risk of acquiring vector borne pathogens, mainly because most of them live outside in pens and backyards, in contact with vectors. Also, dogs in shelters are not always regularly treated against ectoparasites, thus, representing an easy feeding source for the vectors. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs from 5 shelters in South Bačka and Central Banat districts, in Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Northern part of Serbia. Also, the objective was to compare the relation of infection with Dirofiaria immitis with age, sex, type of keeping the animals and preventive treatment in dogs.Materials, Methods & Results: Between May 2017 and October 2019, blood samples were collected from 336 randomly selected dogs from 5 shelters in 2 districts, South Bačka and Central Banat districts, in Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Northern part of Serbia. The epidemiological survey has been conducted with all of the dogs involved in this research. The survey was designed to collect data about sex, age, lifestyles, food type, treatment against mosquitoes with insecticides and filarioid worms with macrocyclic lactones, regular testing for Dirofilaria infections. The presence of circulating microfilariae was examined using a modified Knott’s test. For the presence of circulating adult female Dirofilaria immitis antigen, serum samples were tested by commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which reacts to antigen of female Dirofilaria. In total, 336 dogs were examined for the presence of Dirofilaria immitis antigen. For that dog population which came from 5 shelters, total prevalence was 25.30%. Most of the positive findings were observed in a shelter where dogs lived exclusively outdoors in fenced yards in big groups and they were partly tested for heartworm infections from time to time. These dogs were not treated with macrocyclic lactones, against mosquitoes with insecticides or filarioid worms. The prevalence in this shelter was 56.36%. On the contrary to that, the lowest positive findings were detected in the shelter, where dogs were allowed to move freely between outside and indoors and they were also provided with accommodation indoors. These dogs have been regularly tested for Dirofilaria infections and treated against mosquitoes with insecticides and filarioid worms with macrocyclic lactones. In this shelter the seroprevalence was 7.69%. Microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis were detected, by modified Knott’s test, in all of the antigen positive dog samples; except in 2 dogs from one shelter. Discussion: This study shows persistence of cardiopulmonary dirofiariosis in shelter dogs under different maintaining conditions. By comparing the data during the last 17 years, it can be stated that there is a constant increase of prevalence for Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in northern part of Serbia over the years. The results gained in this study are important from the veterinary point of view, but also from the Public Health point of view.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Proverbio ◽  
Eva Spada ◽  
Luciana Baggiani ◽  
Giada Bagnagatti De Giorgi ◽  
Roberta Perego

This study compares a rapid Immunospecific Kalazar Canine Rapid Spot IF with the gold standard test (indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT)) for detection ofLeishmania infantumspecific IgG serum antibodies in naturally exposed dogs. Serum samples were obtained from 89 healthy dogs and dogs affected by canine leishmaniosis (CanL). IgG-IFAT titers ≥80 were considered positive. Anti-L. infantumIgG antibodies were found in 54 samples with titers ranging from 1 : 80 to 1 : 5120. The performance of the rapid Immunospecific Kalazar was evaluated using a ROC curve. The area under the ROC curve of 0.957 was significantly different from 0.5 (), and therefore it can be concluded that the rapid Immunospecific Kalazar has the ability to distinguish canine sera with and withoutL. infantumIgG. The best performance of the test was at a cutoff >0 (sensitivity 92.6%, specificity 97%). The test can be used for disease screening if the cutoff is >0 (highest sensitivity, 92.6%) and is recommended as confirmatory test for the presence ofL. infantumIgG antibodies if the cutoff is set >2 (highest specificity, 100%).


2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Chakrabartty ◽  
P. K. Bhattacharjee ◽  
R. R. Sarker ◽  
A. K. M. A. Rahman ◽  
K. Henning ◽  
...  

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii infection in domestic ruminants and to detect Coxiella burnetii DNA from ticks and serum samples. A total of 24 ticks, 91 goats and 81 cattle serum samples with the history of abortion and reproductive disorders were collected from the different areas in Bangladesh. The serum samples were tested by CHEKIT Q-Fever Antibody ELISA Test Kit and Coxiella burnetii DNA was detected by multiplex quantitative real- time PCR. The overall prevalence was 7.6% and 6.1% in goats and cattle, respectively. However, none of seropositive samples and tick samples was positive in quantitative real-time PCR.


ISRN Virology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhaswati Bandyopadhyay ◽  
Indrani Bhattacharyya ◽  
Srima Adhikary ◽  
Jayshree Konar ◽  
Nidhi Dawar ◽  
...  

Background. Dengue viruses (DV) belong to the family Flaviviridae, with four serotypes referred to as DV-1, DV-2, DV-3, and DV-4. A large-scale outbreak of dengue fever occurred in 2012 involving several districts of West Bengal. Objective. To present a comprehensive picture of the dengue fever outbreak in 2012 and to identify the prevailing serotypes. Materials and Methods. Serum samples were collected from suspected dengue fever cases. Samples from fever cases <5 days duration were tested for dengue NS1 antigen employing Pan Bio (Australia) NS1 ELISA kit. Serum samples of ≥5 days fever were tested for dengue-specific IgM by MAC ELISA test kit prepared by the National Institute of Virology Pune, India. Serotyping of dengue samples was done by dengue-specific reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results. The number of dengue cases in 2012 clearly outnumbered the dengue cases in 2010 and 2011. The majority of the cases were in the age group 11–30 years with a male preponderance. Outbreak occurred during the months of Aug.–Nov. indicating increased vector transmission in the monsoon and postmonsoon periods. The prevailing serotypes in this outbreak were Den1, Den3, and Den4.


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1200
Author(s):  
Simone Morelli ◽  
Francesca Gori ◽  
Mariasole Colombo ◽  
Donato Traversa ◽  
Giulia Sarrocco ◽  
...  

Several drivers have recently fostered the expansion of Angiostrongylus vasorum throughout Europe, where Vector-Borne Pathogens (VBPs) are also spreading. However, the level of simultaneous risk of infection is still unknown in canine populations. This study evaluated the simultaneous exposure to A. vasorum and major canine VBPs in dogs of Italy. Sera of 294 dogs were subjected to two ELISAs, detecting A. vasorum circulating antigens and antibodies against the parasite, and to the following assays: (i) SNAP® 4DX (IDEXX Laboratories Inc.) detecting Dirofilaria immitis antigens, and antibodies vs. Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. and (ii) IFAT for the detection of antibodies vs. Leishmania infantum, Babesia canis and Rickettsia conorii. Twenty-two (7.5%, CI: 4.8–11.1%) and six (2%, CI: 0.7–4.4%) dogs scored positive for circulating A. vasorum antibodies and antigens, respectively. Seventeen dogs (5.8%, CI: 3.4–9.1%) were positive for A. vasorum antibodies + at least one VBP, three (1%, CI: 0.2–3%) for A. vasorum antigen + at least one VBP, while one dog (0.3%, CI: 0.01–1.88%) was positive for A. vasorum antigen + A. vasorum antibodies + B. canis antibodies. These results show that dogs living in different regions of Italy are at risk of simultaneous infections with both A. vasorum and VBPs. Despite the same scenario being likely in other countries of Europe, the current knowledge is scant. Therefore, further studies are warranted to amplify current epizootiological information and to understand whether control programs should be improved.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 378-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaurav Rawal ◽  
Denusha Shrestha

Leptospira hardjo is the most commonly reported cause of leptospirosis among cattle globally. The objective of this study was to determine sero-detection of Leptospira hardjo in cattle of Bhaktapur district of Nepal. A cross-sectional study was conducted in cattle pockets located at 4 different village development committees (VDCs) in the Bhaktapur district of Nepal. The sample collection was done in cattle to determine the sero-detection of Leptospira hardjo from February 2014 to June 2014. A total of 176 serum samples were collected from four VDCs of Bhaktapur district namely Sipadol, Dhadikot, Duwakot and Nangkhel, selected purposively. Forty samples from Sipadol, 46 Dhadikot, 42 Duwakot and 48 from Nangkhel were collected. 5 ml of blood was collected aseptically from jugular vein using 5 ml sterile disposable syringe. After that blood was transferred to the plain vacutainer. The harvested sera were transferred to serum vials and stored at in -20˚c deep freeze of Central Veterinary Laboratory until used for ELISA test. For screening of Leptospira hardjo, the Leptospira hardjo antibody test kit, ELISA (Prionics, Netherlands) was used. ANOVA along with multiple comparison test Tukey was used to compare frequency of detection across different locations in Bhaktapur district using SAS 9.4. MS-Excel was used to manage ELISA data from four different VDCs and to extract information regarding frequency of detection. There was 5.11% sero-detection in cattle of Bhaktapur district. Location wise sero-detection was 5% in Sipadol, 4.3% in Dhadikot, 4.76% in Duwakot and 6.25% in Nangkhel. The study showed that the detection of Leptospira hardjo in cattle. There was no statistical difference (P>0.05) between location suggesting that cattle in all areas are equally at risk of this pathogen. Further study is suggested on isolation and identification of disease in Nepal. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 7(3): 378-381


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