Clinical case of life-threatening co-infection due to <i>Dirofilaria immitis</i> and <i>Aelurostrongylus abstrusus</i> in a cat: First report of feline heartworm disease in Bulgaria

Tonev, A.; Kirkova, Z.; Iliev, Petar; Roussenov, A.; Chaprazov, T.; Roydev, R.; Pirovski, N.

doi:10.2478/helm-2021-0005

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 25 publications

(20 reference statements)

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“…Targeted studies in Bulgaria and Europe, as well as reports of clinical cases provide data on the parasitofauna of domestic cats in our country [2,6,7,14,17,19,20]. Stoichev et al [17] have found seven helminth species in cats from different villages in the country, and 3 of them were found in the present study (D. caninum, T. cati and A. abstrusus).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

Biodiversity of Endoparasites in Domestic Cats and Dogs from the Sofia city, Bulgaria

Panayotova-Pencheva¹

2022

AMA

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During the period 2019-2021 fecal samples of domestic cats and dogs from the regions of Sofia, Bulgaria, were investigated by the ovoscopical methods of Fulleborn, serial sedimentations and modified technique of Bearman. Most of the registered parasites were nematodes (22% in cats; 23.8% in dogs), followed by protozoa (8% in cats; 9.5% in dogs), and cestodes (4% in cats; 4.8% in dogs). Parasites were found in 30% of the 50 fecal samples obtained from cats: Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (10%), Capillaria aerophila (2%), Toxocara cati (16%), Dipylidium caninum (4%), Cystoisospora sp. (8%). Parasites were found in 38% of the 21 samples from dogs: Toxascaris leonina (9.5%), Trichuris vulpis (9.5%), Uncinaria stenocephala (14.3%), D. caninum (4.8%), Cystoisospora sp. (9.5%). Morphometric features of eggs and larvae of the established parasites were described in present materials. Some of data concerning A. abstrusus were supplied for the first time in materials from Bulgaria.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

Biodiversity of Endoparasites in Domestic Cats and Dogs from the Sofia city, Bulgaria

Panayotova-Pencheva¹

2022

AMA

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“…(1.3%) than those found in this study. A. abstrusus infection has been reported in domestic cats throughout Europe; noticeable differences on the prevalence rates can be observed depending on the region (1.7–30.2%), being our results similar to those found in southern countries, where the percentages of infection are generally higher (Barutzki & Schaper, 2009 ; Diakou et al., 2015 ; Elsheikha et al., 2019 ; Genchi et al., 2021 ; Giannelli et al., 2017 ; Grandi et al., 2017 ; Gueldner et al., 2019 ; Gyö rke et al., 2020 ; Hansen et al., 2017 ; Kiszely et al., 2019 ; Knaus et al., 2014 ; Mircean, Titilincu & Vasile, 2010 ; Payo‐Puente et al., 2008 ; Tonev et al., 2021 ). It is also worth noting that no positive cats to T. brevior were detected in this work although this nematode was previously found in a low number of cats from Spain, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Poland and Romania, reaching maximum values close to 15% in some regions (Brianti et al., 2021 ; Diakou et al., 2015 ; Genchi et al., 2021 ; Giannelli et al., 2017 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cardiorespiratory nematodes and co‐infections with gastrointestinal parasites in new arrivals at dog and cat shelters in north‐western Spain

Remesar

García-Dios

Calabuig

et al. 2022

Transbounding Emerging Dis

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Metastrongyloid and trichuroid cardiorespiratory nematodes of dogs and cats are considered emergent in several European countries, and an increase in the number and extent of endemic foci has been described. Since data on their prevalence are limited in this continent, faecal samples from new arrivals (365 dogs and 65 cats) at two animal shelters in North-western Spain were analysed using both floatation and Baermann techniques. In order to confirm the microscopic identification of Metastrongylidae first stage larvae, molecular characterization based on the sequence of the ITS-2 was performed. The possible influence of some variables such as the species, sex and age of the animals and the co-infection with other gastrointestinal parasites on the prevalence of cardiorespiratory nematodes was analysed. The most prevalent metastrongylid was Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (15.4%) followed by Angiostrongylus vasorum (4.1%) and Crenosoma vulpis (1.1%). Regarding trichuroids, Eucoleus aerophilus and/or Eucoleus boehmi eggs were detected in 28 dogs (7.7%) and four cats (6.2%).Almost all animals positive to cardiorespiratory nematodes (86.8%) were co-infected with gastrointestinal parasites. The prevalence of Metastrongylidae and respiratory trichuroids was significantly higher in dogs co-infected with Taenia spp. and Toxocara canis or Giardia duodenalis and Sarcocystis spp., respectively. In cats, a significant higher prevalence of Metastrongylidae nematodes was found in animals co-infected with Toxocara cati. Our results reveal that cardiorespiratory nematodes are common in companion animals from north-western Spain, showing higher prevalences than those previously reported from this country. This investigation represents the first report of C. vulpis, E. aerophilus and E. boehmi in dogs from Spain. The identification of a number of zoonotic parasites is of public health concern. Our results indicate that these nematodes should be included in the differential diagnosis of dogs and cats from north-western Spain showing respiratory or cardiac clinical signs.

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“…In Bulgaria and Romania, the first reports on feline heartworm infection are documented: in Bulgaria, a cat co-infected with Ae. abstrusus [131]; in Romania, a cat from Southern country [132].…”

Section: Feline Heartwormmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Has Happened to Heartworm Disease in Europe in the Last 10 Years?

et al. 2022

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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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Clinical case of life-threatening co-infection due to Dirofilaria immitis and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in a cat: First report of feline heartworm disease in Bulgaria

Cited by 5 publications

References 25 publications

Biodiversity of Endoparasites in Domestic Cats and Dogs from the Sofia city, Bulgaria

Biodiversity of Endoparasites in Domestic Cats and Dogs from the Sofia city, Bulgaria

Cardiorespiratory nematodes and co‐infections with gastrointestinal parasites in new arrivals at dog and cat shelters in north‐western Spain

What Has Happened to Heartworm Disease in Europe in the Last 10 Years?

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