A serological survey of Dirofilaria immitis infection in pet dogs of Busan, Korea, and effects of chemoprophylaxis

Abstract

Abstract:The status of Dirofilaria immitis infection was assessed in pet dogs of Busan, Korea, and chemoprophylactic effects of microfilaricidal medication were evaluated. A total of 294 pet dogs older than 6 mo were examined, 217 of which had been maintained indoors, and 77 had been kept outdoors. The Snap R kit and direct microscopic examinations of the peripheral blood were used. The mean overall parasite positive rates were 10.2% and 6.5%, respectively. Outdoor dogs evidenced adult worm infection rate of 31.2% and microfilaria infection rate of 18.2%. The indoor dogs, however, evidenced adult worm infection rate of 2.8% and microfilaria infection rate of 2.3%. The prevalence in males was more than 2 times that of females. The changing pattern of infection rates by age evidenced a gradual increase, from 2-to 6-year-old dogs, after which, a decrease in infection rates was noted. With regard to chemoprophylaxis, the infection rates of complete and incomplete chemoprophylaxis groups were found to be 2-3 times lower than that of the non-chemoprophylaxis group. The results of the present study indicate that the risk of exposure to D. immitis in pet dogs is quite high, particularly in male outdoor dogs, and chemoprophylactic measures were quite effective.

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

“…The higher frequency in this age group might be associated with the development time of filariids (as observed in previous studies) which favors the diagnosis due to the existence of parasites in the microfilaremic productive phase, and to the longer time of exposure of the dogs to vector blood meals which favors the infection. This was also seen in other studies (Montaño et al, 2002;Byeon et al, 2007;Bolio-Gonzalez et al, 2007;Morchón et al, 2012). Higher positivity for heartworm infection was observed among male dogs, but without any significant difference.…”

Prevalence of dirofilariasis in shepherd and stray dogs in Iranshahr, southeast of Iran

“…But in stray dogs group, there was no significant relationship between the prevalence of dirofilariasis and gender ( P = 0.075). Such findings have been reported in many studies conducted in Iran and other countries (Akhtardanesh et al 2011 ; Bokai et al 1998 ; Byeon et al 2007 ; Furtado et al 2009 ; Hou et al 2011 ; Malmasi et al 2011 ; Nematollahi and Barazandeh 2010 ; Ranjbar-Bahadori et al 2011 ; RanjbarBahadori et al 2009 ; RanjbarBahadori and Hekmatkhah 2007 ; Razi Jalali et al 2010 ; Simsek et al 2008 ; Tasic et al 2008 ; Vieira et al 2014 ; Yildirim et al 2007 ). However, in some studies (Boonyapakorn et al 2008 ; Cringoli et al 2001 ; Souza et al 1997 ), there was a significant association between the prevalence of D. immitis and male gender, so that the prevalence of D. immitis among male dogs was higher than female, mainly due to the effect of sex hormones on the contamination and the tendency of dog owners that male dogs are responsible for the protection and safety of home (RanjbarBahadori et al 2005 ).…”

Human subcutaneous dirofilariasis in Assam

“…[13] D. immitis inhabits the right ventricle and pulmonary arteries of dogs. [14] D. immitis has also been found to be associated with human pulmonary dirofilariasis. [1516] Both species can infect humans.…”