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Rodríguez-Escolar I, Hernández-Lambraño RE, Sánchez-Agudo JÁ, Collado-Cuadrado M, Sioutas G, Papadopoulos E, Morchón R. Ecological niche modeling analysis (Cx. pipiens), potential risk and projection of Dirofilaria spp. infection in Greece. Vet Parasitol 2024; 328:110172. [PMID: 38547829 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110172] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Vector-borne diseases continue to increase worldwide. Dirofilariosis is one of the most common vector-borne zoonotic diseases, mainly caused by Dirofilaria spp. (D. immitis and D. repens) and spread by culicid mosquitoes of different species. Greece is one of the countries in southern Europe where it is traditionally endemic, and its distribution is not homogeneous. The aim of this study was to develop an environmental model for Greece that reflects the suitability of the ecological niche for Dirofilaria spp. infection risk and its projection until 2080. For this purpose, we used the potential distribution of suitable habitats for Culex pipiens calculated using an ecological niche model (ENM) and the potential number of generations of Dirofilaria spp. The ecological niche model of Cx. pipiens in Greece showed good predictive power (AUC=0.897) with the parasite at a resolution of 1 km2. The variables that contributed most to the model were mean annual temperature, rivers and human footprint. The highest risk of infection was found in coastal areas and in riverside areas of the main river basins, as well as in irrigated areas of the mainland and peninsular regions and in the whole territory of island areas, and the lowest risk was found in areas of higher altitude. A positive relationship was found between the risk of dirofilariosis and the location of infected dogs, with 86.65% located in very high and high risk areas. In 2080, the percentage of territory gained by Cx. pipiens will increase by 261.52%. This model provides a high predictive value, predicted presence, and risk of Dirofilaria spp. infection and can serve as a tool for the management and control of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Rodríguez-Escolar
- Zoonotic Diseases and One Health group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ricardo E Hernández-Lambraño
- Biodiversity, Human Diversity and Conservation Biology Research Group, Campus Miguel Unamuno, Salamanca, University of Salamanca, Spain
| | - José Ángel Sánchez-Agudo
- Biodiversity, Human Diversity and Conservation Biology Research Group, Campus Miguel Unamuno, Salamanca, University of Salamanca, Spain; Centre for Environmental Studies and Rural Dynamization (CEADIR), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Manuel Collado-Cuadrado
- Zoonotic Diseases and One Health group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Georgios Sioutas
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece
| | - Elias Papadopoulos
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece
| | - Rodrigo Morchón
- Zoonotic Diseases and One Health group, Faculty of Pharmacy, Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; Centre for Environmental Studies and Rural Dynamization (CEADIR), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
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Rodríguez-Escolar I, Hernández-Lambraño RE, Sánchez-Agudo JÁ, Collado-Cuadrado M, Savić S, Žekić Stosic M, Marcic D, Morchón R. Prediction and validation of potential transmission risk of Dirofilaria spp. infection in Serbia and its projection to 2080. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1352236. [PMID: 38634104 PMCID: PMC11022963 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1352236] [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: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Animal and human dirofilariosis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease, being one of the most important diseases in Europe. In Serbia, there are extensive studies reporting the presence of Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens, mainly in the north of the country, where the human population is concentrated and where there is a presence of culicid mosquitoes that transmit the disease. Ecological niche modeling (ENM) has proven to be a very good tool to predict the appearance of parasitosis in very diverse areas, with distant orography and climatologies at a local, continental, and global level. Taking these factors into account, the objective of this study was to develop an environmental model for Serbia that reflects the suitability of the ecological niche for the risk of infection with Dirofilaria spp. with which the predictive power of existing studies is improved. A wide set of variables related to the transmission of the parasite were used. The potential number of generations of D. immitis and the ecological niche modeling method (ENM) were used to estimate the potential distribution of suitable habitats for Culex pipiens. The highest probability of infection risk was located in the north of the country, and the lowest in the southern regions, where there is more orographic relief and less human activity. The model was corroborated with the location of D. immitis-infected dogs, with 89.28% of the country having a high probability of infection. In addition, it was observed that the percentage of territory with optimal habitat for Culex spp. will increase significantly between now and 2080. This new model can be used as a tool in the control and prevention of heartworm disease in Serbia, due to its high predictive power, and will serve to alert veterinary and health personnel of the presence of the disease in the animal and human population, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Rodríguez-Escolar
- Zoonotic Diseases and One Health Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ricardo Enrique Hernández-Lambraño
- Biodiversity, Human Diversity and Conservation Biology Group, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Center for Environmental Studies and Rural Dynamization (CEADIR), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - José Ángel Sánchez-Agudo
- Biodiversity, Human Diversity and Conservation Biology Group, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Center for Environmental Studies and Rural Dynamization (CEADIR), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Manuel Collado-Cuadrado
- Zoonotic Diseases and One Health Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Sara Savić
- Scientific Veterinary Institute "Novi Sad", University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Marina Žekić Stosic
- Scientific Veterinary Institute "Novi Sad", University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Doroteja Marcic
- Center for Environmental Studies and Rural Dynamization (CEADIR), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Morchón
- Zoonotic Diseases and One Health Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Center for Environmental Studies and Rural Dynamization (CEADIR), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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Fehr JE, Schnyder M, Joekel DE, Pantchev N, Sarkunas M, Torgerson P, Deplazes P. Estimated specific antibody-based true sero-prevalences of canine filariosis in dogs in Central Europe and the UK. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:3671-3680. [PMID: 36260253 PMCID: PMC9653333 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07695-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Dirofilariosis is a vector-borne disease mainly caused by Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens. In contrast to the known endemicity of dirofilariosis in southern and south-eastern Europe, information on the distribution of D. repens in Central-Europe is fragmentary. We tested 8877 serum samples from dogs from Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Switzerland and the UK using an ELISA detecting filarial-specific antibodies, hypothesising higher occurrence of D. repens. Based on two overlapping frequency distributions, presumed negative samples had a mean optical density (OD) value of 0.097, representing 97.45% of all samples. Presumed positive samples, representing 2.55% of all sera, had a mean OD value of 0.287. Test prevalence based on the calculated cut-off was 3.51% for all sera (4.36% for Austria, 1.94% for Denmark, 1.39% for Germany, 3.37% for Italy, 6.90% for Lithuania, 6.99% for Poland, 0.77% for Switzerland and 0.0% for the UK, respectively). The bimodal distribution, representing overlapping distributions of OD values from positive and negative dogs, enabled the assignment of a probability of true infection status to each dog. Mean probabilities of true infection status across groups, based on the postal codes of origin, allowed us to estimate and map true prevalences. For all countries, except the UK, the true prevalence was lower than the test prevalence. The large number of serum samples and the use of a non-gold standard analytical method allowed us to create a more realistic picture of the distribution of D. repens in Central Europe and the UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeannine E Fehr
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Manuela Schnyder
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Deborah E Joekel
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Mindaugas Sarkunas
- Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Veterinary Academy, Tilzes str. 18, 47181, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Paul Torgerson
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Section of Epidemiology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 270, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Peter Deplazes
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
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Morchón R, Montoya-Alonso JA, Rodríguez-Escolar I, Carretón E. What Has Happened to Heartworm Disease in Europe in the Last 10 Years? Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11091042. [PMID: 36145474 PMCID: PMC9503846 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11091042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis is a vector-borne disease that affects canids and felids, both domestic and wild, throughout the world. It is a chronic disease which causes vascular damage in pulmonary arteries, and in advanced stages, the presence of pulmonary hypertension and right-sided congestive heart failure can be evidenced. Moreover, pulmonary thromboembolism is caused by the death of the worms, which can be lethal for the infected animal. Furthermore, it is the causative agent of human pulmonary dirofilariosis, being a zoonotic disease. The aim of this review was to update the current epidemiological situation of heartworm in Europe in dogs, cats, wild animals, and vectors insects, and to analyse the factors that may have contributed to the continuous spread of the disease in the last decade (2012–2021). In Europe, the disease has extended to eastern countries, being currently endemic in countries where previously only isolated or imported cases were reported. Furthermore, its prevalence has continued to increase in southern countries, traditionally endemic. This distribution trends and changes are influenced by several factors which are discussed in this review, such as the climate changes, presence of vectors in new areas, the appearance of new competent vector species in the continent, increased movement of pets that travelled to or originated from endemic countries, the urbanisation of rural areas leading to the formation of so-called “heat islands”, or the creation of extensive areas of irrigated crops. The continuous expansion of D. immitis must be monitored, and measures adapted to the situation of each country must be carried out for adequate control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Morchón
- Zoonotic Diseases and One Health Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, Campus Miguel Unamuno, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Correspondence: (R.M.); (E.C.)
| | - José Alberto Montoya-Alonso
- Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Arucas, Arucas, 35413 Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Iván Rodríguez-Escolar
- Zoonotic Diseases and One Health Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, Campus Miguel Unamuno, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Elena Carretón
- Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Arucas, Arucas, 35413 Las Palmas, Spain
- Correspondence: (R.M.); (E.C.)
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Sharifdini M, Karimi M, Ashrafi K, Soleimani M, Mirjalali H. Prevalence and molecular characterization of Dirofilaria immitis in road killed canids of northern Iran. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:161. [PMID: 35501899 PMCID: PMC9063217 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03270-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dirofilaria immitis is a mosquito-borne filarial nematode, which infects primarily wild and domestic canids, causing cardiopulmonary dirofilariasis. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and characterize molecular features of D. immitis in road killed canids, northern Iran. Methods The carcasses of 53 road killed canids including 18 dogs (Canis familiaris), and 35 golden jackals (C. aureus) were necropsied in both Mazanderan and Guilan provinces, northern Iran. The molecular analyses were conducted based on the cytochrome oxidase (Cox) 1 and 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Results The heartworm infection was found in 55.6% of dogs and 22.9% of jackals. Our study revealed significantly higher prevalence of D. immitis in dogs compared to jackals (P = 0.031). The prevalence of D. immitis was no statistically significant between males and females in both dogs and jackal (P > 0.05). Comparison of the Cox1 gene sequences with available data in the GenBank illustrated 100% similarity with D. immitis isolates from different hosts in European, Asian, and South American continents. Moreover, the 18S rRNA gene sequences showed 100% identity with dog isolates from Japan and French Guiana. Conclusions This study confirms the high prevalence of D. immitis in dogs and jackals of northern Iran. Developing control programs to prevent transmission of the disease is necessary for dogs and humans in the study areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meysam Sharifdini
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
| | - Mahan Karimi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Keyhan Ashrafi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Mostafa Soleimani
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Hamed Mirjalali
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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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.
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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.)
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