1
|
de Andrade Vieira VM, da Silva PP, Paulino ÉT, do Amaral Fernandes P, Labarthe N, Gazêta GS, de Moraes Neto AHA. Epidemiological analysis of Dirofilaria immitis (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) infecting pet dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris, Linnaeus, 1758) in Baixada Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1360593. [PMID: 38756520 PMCID: PMC11096569 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1360593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Dirofilaria immitis infection is routinely detected in dogs during veterinary care in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Parasitological tests for the detection of this infection are routinely performed only in areas with a high prevalence. Baixada Fluminense, a region in Rio de Janeiro, was considered heartworm-free until local veterinarians began to receive blood exams results indicating the presence of microfilariae (MF). A laboratory database was hence used to collect data from 2017 to 2020 to understand the extent of spread of the parasite in this area. The results of complete blood count analysis and MF or heartworm antigen detection tests conducted on canine samples sent from veterinary clinics in Baixada Fluminense (Magé, Duque de Caxias, Guapimirim, Nova Iguaçu, and São João de Meriti municipalities) were included. In total, the results of 16,314 hematological tests were considered. The overall prevalence of D. immitis was 3.4% (554/16,314), considering that only one test result was obtained per animal on the same day. This study is highly relevant because it indicates the spreading geographic distribution of the worms, heightens awareness among local health professionals and the general population, and encourages compliance with prophylactic measures to prevent further spread of parasite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Marques de Andrade Vieira
- Laboratory of Innovations in Therapies, Teaching and Bioproducts, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (LITEB/IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Tropical Medicine Program, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Priscila Pinho da Silva
- Laboratory of Innovations in Therapies, Teaching and Bioproducts, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (LITEB/IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Tropical Medicine Program, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Érica Tex Paulino
- Laboratory of Innovations in Therapies, Teaching and Bioproducts, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (LITEB/IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Tropical Medicine Program, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Norma Labarthe
- National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (ENSP/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gilberto Salles Gazêta
- Laboratory of Ticks and Other Apterous Arthropods - National Reference Laboratory for Vectors of Rickettsioses, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (LAC/IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Antonio Henrique Almeida de Moraes Neto
- Laboratory of Innovations in Therapies, Teaching and Bioproducts, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (LITEB/IOC/FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Walter-Weingärtner J, Bergmann M, Hartmann K. [Overview on utility of in-house tests for detection of systemic infectious diseases in dogs]. TIERARZTLICHE PRAXIS. AUSGABE K, KLEINTIERE/HEIMTIERE 2024; 52:98-109. [PMID: 38701805 DOI: 10.1055/a-2289-1927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
For detection of infectious diseases, several point-of-care (POC) tests are on the market in addition to methods performed in commercial laboratories. These POC tests are based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or other immunochromatographic technologies and present results within few minutes in veterinary practice. This article gives an overview of the utility of numerous POC tests of different manufacturers for detection of parvovirus antigen in feces, Dirofilaria (D.) immitis antigen in blood as well as antibodies against Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi, Anaplasma (A.) spp., Ehrlichia (E.) spp., Leptospira (L.) spp. and Leishmania (L.) infantum in blood (single or in different combinations). Sensitivity and specificity of these tests are important for their usefulness in veterinary practice. Furthermore, presence of antibodies or detection of antigen has to correlate with the presence of clinical signs. POC tests for detection of canine parvovirus antigen have a very high specificity, the sensitivity of all evaluated POC tests, however, is very low. POC tests for detection of D. immitis antigen have a very high sensitivity and specificity. As they detect antigen from the uterus of female adult parasites, test results are negative when only very few female or only male adults are present. POC tests for detection of antibodies against B. burgdorferi only indicate contact with Borrelia spp. and do not prove clinical Lyme disease, as the infection only extremely rarely causes clinical signs. POC tests for detection of antibodies against A. phagocytophilum are also not suitable for diagnosis of clinical anaplasmosis. Infections with A. phagocytophilum only lead to clinical disease in very rare cases and in these, clinical signs occur before the development of antibodies. POC tests for detection of antibodies against E. canis have a very high sensitivity as well as specificity. POC tests for detection of antibodies against L. infantum and Leptospira species (spp.) show a very high specificity and a high sensitivity. However, Leptospira spp. antibody-positive results may occur following vaccination, as the POC tests cannot distinguish between field and vaccination strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Michèle Bergmann
- Medizinische Kleintierklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
| | - Katrin Hartmann
- Medizinische Kleintierklinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Esteban-Mendoza MV, Arcila-Quiceno VH, Ríos Chacón C, Jaimes Dueñez JE, Tique Oviedo M, Díaz Bustos A, Castellanos MF, Morchón R. Microfilaremic infection in canine filariosis in Colombia: a challenge in morphological and molecular diagnostics. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1368307. [PMID: 38601908 PMCID: PMC11005679 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1368307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Canine filariosis is caused by filiform nematodes and affects several species of animals as well as humans. The disease produces a wide range of symptoms that can often be confused with other diseases, which increases the complexity of its diagnosis. The search for methodologies to facilitate its diagnosis is a challenge, and specific and differential identification of the parasite species causing the disease holds key to a successful diagnosis. In Colombia, there is a problem of underdiagnosis of filariosis in microfilaremic dogs infected by Dirofilaria immitis and Acanthocheilonema reconditum, and of microfilaremias not related to heartworm disease. The highest prevalences have been reported for D. immitis infections, although new cases of A. reconditum infections are beginning to appear. The aim of this study was to differentiate the microfilariae infections caused by D. immitis and A. reconditum by a morphological and molecular characterization of microfilariae so as to facilitate an accurate diagnosis of canine filariosis in the metropolitan area of Bucaramanga (Colombia). For this purpose, 400 blood samples with anticoagulants were collected from the dogs and analyzed with the help of a commercial immunochromatography kit for the detection of D. immitis circulating antigen. The Woo, Knott, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques were employed for determining the parasite count, morphological observation, and molecular identification of microfilariae present in the dogs respectively. The prevalence of microfilaremic dogs in Bucaramanga metropolitan area was 18.75% (75/400). The prevalence of dogs that tested positive for D. immitis in the antigen and in PCR tests was 1.25% (5/400) and 1% (4/400), respectively. Furthermore, the PCR test revealed that 17.75% of the microfilaremic dogs tested positive for A. reconditum (71/400) (first report in the metropolitan area of Bucaramanga), with one animal co-infected by both species, and 0% for D. repens (0/400). However, by morphological characterization, 4% of the microfilariae (3/75) corresponded to D. immitis, 20% (15/75) to D. repens, and 76% (57/75) to A. reconditum. The use of molecular diagnostic methods such as PCR aids in the specific identification of the parasite, thus making it a more accurate method than the morphological characterization of microfilariae. The identification of the parasites by PCR helps improve the veterinary diagnosis of canine filariosis in Colombia, which would lead to the establishment of an appropriate treatment protocol for each species of filaria and also to the generation of reliable data to be used at the clinical and epidemiological levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Victoria Esteban-Mendoza
- Grupo GRICA, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Maestría en Salud y Producción Animal, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia
- Biovet Diagnóstico Veterinario Bga, Laboratorio Clínico Veterinario, Floridablanca, Santander, Colombia
| | - Victor Hernán Arcila-Quiceno
- Grupo GRICA, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Maestría en Salud y Producción Animal, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia
| | - Catalina Ríos Chacón
- Grupo GRICA, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Maestría en Salud y Producción Animal, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia
- Biovet Diagnóstico Veterinario Bga, Laboratorio Clínico Veterinario, Floridablanca, Santander, Colombia
| | - Jeiczon Elim Jaimes Dueñez
- Grupo GRICA, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Maestría en Salud y Producción Animal, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia
| | - Marisol Tique Oviedo
- Grupo GRICA, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Maestría en Salud y Producción Animal, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia
| | - Alejandro Díaz Bustos
- Grupo GRICA, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Maestría en Salud y Producción Animal, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia
- Biovet Diagnóstico Veterinario Bga, Laboratorio Clínico Veterinario, Floridablanca, Santander, Colombia
| | - María Fernanda Castellanos
- Grupo GRICA, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Maestría en Salud y Producción Animal, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia
- Biovet Diagnóstico Veterinario Bga, Laboratorio Clínico Veterinario, Floridablanca, Santander, Colombia
| | - Rodrigo Morchón
- Zoonotic Diseases and One Health GIR, Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca-Research Center for Tropical Diseases University of Salamanca (IBSAL), Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Miguel Unamuno, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Centre for Environmental Studies and Rural Dynamization (CEADIR), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Roblejo-Arias L, Díaz-Corona C, Piloto-Sardiñas E, Díaz-Sánchez AA, Zając Z, Kulisz J, Woźniak A, Moutailler S, Obregon D, Foucault-Simonin A, Corona-González B, Cabezas-Cruz A. First molecular characterization of Dirofilaria Immitis in Cuba. BMC Vet Res 2023; 19:239. [PMID: 37978522 PMCID: PMC10655431 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03803-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dirofilarioses are widespread diseases caused by mosquito-borne nematodes of the family Onchocercidae, genus Dirofilaria. The major etiologic agent of canine dirofilariosis in the American continent is the zoonotic parasite Dirofilaria immitis. Existing reports of filarioid nematodes in Cuba are based solely on morphological and immunological analysis which do not allow unambiguous identification and/or direct detection of causal agents. RESULTS Here we present the molecular characterization of filarioid nematodes found in a dog in Cuba. Based on the molecular and phylogenetic analysis of the 5.8S-ITS2-28S region and cox1 gene fragments, the worms were unambiguously classified as D. immitis. Sequence analysis showed high identity of the gene fragments in this study with others previously obtained from D. immitis found in dogs, wolfs and jackals but also from mosquito vectors of D. immitis. CONCLUSIONS Further studies are guarantee to better understand the epidemiological impact of canine dirofilariosis in Cuba as well as the competence of different species of culicid mosquitoes as vectors of Dirofilaria in the country.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisset Roblejo-Arias
- Direction of Animal Health, National Center for Animal and Plant Health, Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado Postal 10, San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, 32700, Cuba
| | - Cristian Díaz-Corona
- Direction of Animal Health, National Center for Animal and Plant Health, Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado Postal 10, San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, 32700, Cuba
| | - Elianne Piloto-Sardiñas
- Direction of Animal Health, National Center for Animal and Plant Health, Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado Postal 10, San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, 32700, Cuba
- Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | | | - Zbigniew Zając
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11st, Lublin, 20-080, Poland
| | - Joanna Kulisz
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11st, Lublin, 20-080, Poland
| | - Aneta Woźniak
- Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11st, Lublin, 20-080, Poland
| | - Sara Moutailler
- Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Dasiel Obregon
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Angélique Foucault-Simonin
- Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Belkis Corona-González
- Direction of Animal Health, National Center for Animal and Plant Health, Carretera de Tapaste y Autopista Nacional, Apartado Postal 10, San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, 32700, Cuba.
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- Laboratoire de Santé Animale, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Badillo-Viloria MA, García-Bocanegra I, de Lavalle-Galvis RJ, Martínez R, de la Rosa-Jaramillo S, Castillo-Castañeda A, Ramírez JD, Cano-Terriza D. Dirofilaria immitis in pet dogs from the metropolitan area of the Colombian Caribbean. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 102:102064. [PMID: 37741216 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.102064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the frequency and factors associated with Dirofilaria immitis infection in pet dogs in the metropolitan area of the Colombian Caribbean (northern Colombia). A total of 173 dogs were analyzed by a commercial rapid immunochromatographic test (RIT) and a nested PCR of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene, in parallel. Ninety-two (53.2%) of the dogs showed positive results to the RIT, while 59 (34.1%) animals had D. immitis DNA by PCR. Positivity to one or both diagnostic techniques was detected in 104 (60.1%; CI95%: 53.8-67.4) of the sampled dogs. In PCR-positive dogs, phylogenetic analyses evidenced high nucleotide identity (100%) with sequences previously obtained from mosquitoes, dogs and other mammals in different countries. Exercise intolerance (p = 0.002; OR: 2.33; CI95%: 1.37-3.96) and thrombocytopenia (p = < 0.001; OR: 1.95; CI95%: 1.11-3.43) were the main factors associated with D. immitis infection in dogs. The high frequency of D. immitis in dogs indicates a wide distribution of this parasite in the metropolitan area of the Colombian Caribbean, which can be of animal and public health concern. Our results highlight the need to combine different methods to increase the diagnostic accuracy of D. immitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Badillo-Viloria
- Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla, Colombia; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | | | - Remigio Martínez
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Unidad de Patología Infecciosa, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
| | | | - Adriana Castillo-Castañeda
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan D Ramírez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Department of pathology, molecular and cell-based medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York city, NY, USA
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain; CIBERINFEC, ISCIII CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Gonçalves GP, Xavier SG, Lima NDC, Bendas AJR. Frequency of Dirofilaria immitis infection in blood donor dogs of the Rio de Janeiro state. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE 2023; 45:e002223. [PMID: 37868091 PMCID: PMC10588812 DOI: 10.29374/2527-2179.bjvm002223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Dirofilariasis, a parasitic disease caused by the nematode Dirofilaria immitis, commonly known as heartworm, primarily inhabits the pulmonary artery and right heart of dogs and other animals. The disease is transmitted through diptera, predominantly from the Culex, Aedes, and Anopheles genera. Dirofilariasis is cosmopolitan in nature, endemic in coastal regions and tropical climates. Factors such as temperature, humidity, vector density, and the presence of definitive hosts significantly contribute to the spread of this parasitic disease. In the state of Rio de Janeiro, a prevalence of 58.6% of D. immitis infected animals has been recorded in municipalities like Niterói. Given that blood transfusions are routine clinical procedures and blood bags are not always accurately evaluated, an investigation into D. immitis infection in blood donor dogs from the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro was conducted. A total of 1044 blood donor dog files from a blood bank in Niterói, RJ, collected from January 2019 to December 2022, were analyzed. These samples, originating from kennels in various municipalities in the Metropolitan Region, were tested for the presence of microfilariae through direct examination using tubes and microhematocrit evaluated in optical microscopy. Additionally, the search for antigens was conducted using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Out of the 1044 records evaluated, 17.8% (186/1044) were positive for heartworm infection, with 2% (21/1044) samples positive for microfilariae and 14.8% (154/1044) positive for D. immitis antigens. The high prevalence rate indicates that canine D. immitis infection remains prevalent in the state of Rio de Janeiro, necessitating effective guidelines for prescribing preventive medications by veterinarians and an increase in epidemiological surveillance in the region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Genilson Pereira Gonçalves
- Undergraduate in Veterinary Medicine, Instituto de Veterinária (IV), Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ). Seropédica, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Vinnie-Siow WY, Tan TK, Low VL, Teoh YB, Prakash BK, Sivanandam S, Sharma RSK, Lim YAL. Integration of Microscopic, Serologic and Molecular Techniques for Detection of Filarial Parasites in Dogs in Malaysia. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:468-475. [PMID: 34797497 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00490-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Canine filariosis in domestic dogs caused by several species of filarids is an emerging vector-borne disease and the spread of this disease remains a global veterinary and public health concern. However, information regarding these filarids and their epidemiological patterns remains scarce in Malaysia. The present study aimed to determine the infection rate and associated risk factors of filarial parasites in dogs in Malaysia. METHODS A total of 399 dog blood samples were collected from veterinary hospitals and animal shelters in Malaysia to determine the infection rate and associated risk factors via a combination of microscopic, serologic and molecular diagnostic techniques. RESULTS Two species of canine filariae identified in this study were Dirofilaria immitis (6.5%) and Brugia pahangi (1.3%), and their infections were associated with cross breed, medium size and short hair (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS A new pair of primers was developed to complement the recovery of the 12S rRNA gene fragment of filarial parasites. This study represents the first molecular evidence of B. pahangi in dogs in Malaysia.
Collapse
|
8
|
Thengchaisri N, Inpankaew T, Arthitwong S, Steiner JM, Sattasathuchana P. Molecular prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis and Wolbachia infections in pet and semi-domesticated cats in Bangkok, Thailand. Vet World 2022; 15:239-243. [PMID: 35400954 PMCID: PMC8980370 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.239-243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Although cats are not natural hosts for heartworm infections (Dirofilaria immitis), evidence suggests that feline heartworm disease can be detrimental because of a severe inflammatory response. Recent studies have found that infection with bacteria of the genus Wolbachia is the principal cause of acute inflammatory filaria disease; nonetheless, the prevalence of cats naturally infected with heartworms and Wolbachia remains unclear. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and current distribution of feline heartworm disease and its association with Wolbachia infection in pet and semi-domesticated cats in Bangkok, Thailand. Materials and Methods: A total of 260 cats (130 pet cats and 130 semi-domesticated cats) were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were placed into ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tubes for hematological analysis and DNA extraction. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to analyze samples for the presence of D. immitis and Wolbachia infections. Results: The prevalence (95% confidence interval [CI]) of D. immitis infection in pet, semi-domesticated, and all cats were 3.9% (1.3-8.8%), 27.7% (20.2-36.2%), and 19.6% (15.0-25.0%), respectively. The prevalence (95% CI) of Wolbachia infection in pet, semi-domesticated, and all cats were 18.5% (12.2-26.2%), 31.5% (23.7-40.3%), and 25.0% (19.9-30.7%), respectively. The prevalence of D. immitis and Wolbachia infections in semi-domesticated cats was significantly higher than in pet cats (p=0.002 and p=0.022, respectively). There was a significant association between D. immitis and Wolbachia infections (p<0.001). There was also a significant association between D. immitis infection and the presence of eosinophilia (p<0.045). Conclusion: From the PCR analysis, it can be concluded that semi-domesticated cats were at higher risk for D. immitis infection than pet cats. There was a significant association between positive D. immitis infection and positive Wolbachia infection. Combinations of anthelmintic and antimicrobial therapy should be considered in heartworm-positive cats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naris Thengchaisri
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand; Tippimarn Veterinary Hospital, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, 906/1 Pong Ta Long Subdistrict, Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30130, Thailand
| | - Tawin Inpankaew
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Surapong Arthitwong
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jörg M. Steiner
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Gastrointestinal Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Panpicha Sattasathuchana
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Giubega S, Imre M, Ilie MS, Imre K, Luca I, Florea T, Dărăbuș G, Morariu S. Identity of Microfilariae Circulating in Dogs from Western and South-Western Romania in the Last Decade. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111400. [PMID: 34832556 PMCID: PMC8618794 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Dirofilaria infections in dogs are recognized as widespread mosquito-borne diseases with zoonotic potential, that are caused by the filarioid nematode (Onchocercidae) species Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens. The long-term survey conducted in western and south-western Romania was undertaken in order to provide valuable data on the occurrence of Dirofilaria infections in dogs. Blood samples from 1088 dogs, originating from 73 localities of 11 western and south-western counties in Romania, were collected and examined using the modified Knott test. Subsequently, all of the microscopically positive samples were subjected to molecular analysis for confirmation. Altogether, the data obtained showed the percentage of dogs with circulating microfilariae to be 21.42% (233/1088) of dogs tested in the investigated region. The identified species, in cases of monoinfections, were D. immitis, D. repens, and Acanthocheilonema reconditum in 106 (9.74%) samples, 102 (9.38%) samples, and 1 (0.09%) sample, respectively. Twenty-four (2.21%) samples were simultaneously positive for D. immitis and D. repens. There was no association (p > 0.05) between infection status and breed; however, sex and lifestyle were positively associated (p < 0.05) with the percentage of dogs with circulating microfilariae and might be regarded as risk factors for infection. The results of the present investigation indicate potential zoonotic risks for humans living in the screened area and support the imperative to increase awareness among both veterinarians and physicians, regarding the continuous spread of these zoonotic filariae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simona Giubega
- Department of Parasitology and Dermatology, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Michael I of Romania” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, Romania; (S.G.); (M.I.); (I.L.); (T.F.); (G.D.); (S.M.)
| | - Mirela Imre
- Department of Parasitology and Dermatology, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Michael I of Romania” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, Romania; (S.G.); (M.I.); (I.L.); (T.F.); (G.D.); (S.M.)
| | - Marius Stelian Ilie
- Department of Parasitology and Dermatology, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Michael I of Romania” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, Romania; (S.G.); (M.I.); (I.L.); (T.F.); (G.D.); (S.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-256-277-190
| | - Kálmán Imre
- Department of Animal Production and Veterinary Public Health, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Michael I of Romania” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Iasmina Luca
- Department of Parasitology and Dermatology, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Michael I of Romania” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, Romania; (S.G.); (M.I.); (I.L.); (T.F.); (G.D.); (S.M.)
| | - Tiana Florea
- Department of Parasitology and Dermatology, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Michael I of Romania” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, Romania; (S.G.); (M.I.); (I.L.); (T.F.); (G.D.); (S.M.)
| | - Gheorghe Dărăbuș
- Department of Parasitology and Dermatology, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Michael I of Romania” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, Romania; (S.G.); (M.I.); (I.L.); (T.F.); (G.D.); (S.M.)
| | - Sorin Morariu
- Department of Parasitology and Dermatology, Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Michael I of Romania” from Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timisoara, Romania; (S.G.); (M.I.); (I.L.); (T.F.); (G.D.); (S.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Silva Barbosa AD. Face to face: Balantioides coli: A forgotten parasite. Trop Parasitol 2021; 11:64-67. [PMID: 34195066 PMCID: PMC8213121 DOI: 10.4103/tp.tp_5_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alynne Da Silva Barbosa
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal Fluminense University, Niterói, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Laboratory of Toxoplasmosis and other Protozoa, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Naderi A, Sharifi I, Aflatoonian MR, Mostafavi M, Hakimi Parizi M, Mashayekhi J, Mashayekhi M, Nikpour S, Bamorovat M. Dirofilariosis caused by Dirofilaria immitis in the south of Kerman province, Iran. Microb Pathog 2021; 154:104863. [PMID: 33775854 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.104863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dirofilariosis due to Dirofilaria immitis is endemic in various areas of Iran. Domestic dogs are the main reservoirs and represent a major potential infection source for the vector and humans. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the prevalence of dirofilariosis due to D.immitis and its public health importance in domestic dogs in the Jiroft district, south of Kerman province, Iran, by serological and parasitological methods. METHODS This descriptive study was carried out as a cross-sectional investigation. A questionnaire was completed for 100 domestic dogs from May 2017 to February 2018 and recorded their age, sex, and clinical features. Also, we used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to identify antigens of heartworms in the bloodstream, with 98% sensitivity and 100% specificity, and parasitological techniques (Knott's test) to detect microfilariae in canine blood in Jiroft district, south of Kerman province, Iran. RESULTS Overall, 10 (10%) and 4 (4%) domestic dogs were infected as confirmed by ELISA and modified Knott's tests, respectively. The rate of occult infections in the ELISA test than Knott's test was 60%. No significant difference was found between dirofilariosis and gender. In contrast, there was a significant difference between dirofilariosis infection and age (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The present findings could help understand the epidemiological aspects of D. immitis for future control programs and take appropriate preventive and therapeutic strategies against the disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Afsaneh Naderi
- Iranian Social Security Organization, Jiroft, Kerman, Iran
| | - Iraj Sharifi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Aflatoonian
- Research Center of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mahshid Mostafavi
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Maryam Hakimi Parizi
- Research Center of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | | | | | - Saeideh Nikpour
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mehdi Bamorovat
- Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Panarese R, Iatta R, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Szlosek D, Braff J, Liu J, Beugnet F, Dantas-Torres F, Beall MJ, Otranto D. Comparison of Diagnostic Tools for the Detection of Dirofilaria immitis Infection in Dogs. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9060499. [PMID: 32580453 PMCID: PMC7350293 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9060499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last two decades, reports of canine heartworm (HW) infection have increased even in non-endemic areas, with a large variability in prevalence data due to the diagnostic strategy employed. This study evaluated the relative performance of two microtiter plate ELISA methods for the detection of HW antigen in determining the occurrence of Dirofilaria immitis in a dog population previously tested by the modified Knott's test and SNAP 4Dx Plus test. The prevalence of this infection in the sheltered dog population (n = 363) from a high-risk area for HW infection was 44.4% according to the modified Knott's test and 58.1% according to a point-of-care antigen ELISA. All serum samples were then evaluated by a microtiter plate ELISA test performed with and without immune complex dissociation (ICD). The prevalence increased from 56.5% to 79.6% following ICD, indicating a high proportion of samples with immune complexing. Comparing these results to that of the modified Knott's test, the samples negative for microfilariae (mfs) and those positive only for D. repens mfs demonstrated the greatest increase in the proportion of positive results for D. immitis by ELISA following ICD. While the ICD method is not recommended for routine screening, it may be a valuable secondary strategy for identifying HW infections in dogs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Panarese
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy; (R.P.); (R.I.); (J.A.M.-R.)
| | - Roberta Iatta
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy; (R.P.); (R.I.); (J.A.M.-R.)
| | - Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy; (R.P.); (R.I.); (J.A.M.-R.)
| | - Donald Szlosek
- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, ME 04092, USA; (D.S.); (J.B.); (J.L.); (M.J.B.)
| | - Jennifer Braff
- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, ME 04092, USA; (D.S.); (J.B.); (J.L.); (M.J.B.)
| | - Joe Liu
- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, ME 04092, USA; (D.S.); (J.B.); (J.L.); (M.J.B.)
| | | | | | - Melissa J. Beall
- IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Westbrook, ME 04092, USA; (D.S.); (J.B.); (J.L.); (M.J.B.)
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy; (R.P.); (R.I.); (J.A.M.-R.)
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan 6516738695, Iran
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39 080 4679944/9839
| |
Collapse
|