Dirofilaria immitis and Angiostrongylus vasorum: the contemporaneous detection in kennels

Prete, Luisa Del; Maurelli, Maria Paola; Pennacchio, Saverio; Bosco, Antonio; Musella, Vincenzo; Ciucă, Lavinia; Cringoli, Giuseppe; Rinaldi, Laura

doi:10.1186/s12917-015-0619-y

Cited by 15 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 33 publications

(44 reference statements)

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“…In the present study, D. immitis showed a low prevalence (0.2%) since a single dog was found positive at serological and microscopic analysis. This result differs greatly from previous data reported in kennel dogs in Italy where higher prevalence rates (2.8-12.5%) were observed [ 8 , 21 , 47 ]. However, this result confirms the findings of a previous study in dogs from central Italy [ 41 ].…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Leishmania infantum, Dirofilaria spp. and other endoparasite infections in kennel dogs in central Italy

et al. 2018

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Prevalence and risk factors of Leishmania infantum, Dirofilaria spp. and other potentially zoonotic or canine-specific endoparasite infections were assessed in 639 kennel dogs from central Italy. To this end, individual blood and fecal samples were examined using parasitological, immunological and molecular techniques. The presence of compatible clinical pictures, as well as age and gender were considered as putative risks factors. To evaluate risk factors, multivariable analysis with logistic regression and univariable analysis with a Chi square test and a Fischer’s exact test were performed. Overall, 52.6% of dogs (95% CI 48.6-56.5) were found positive, while 39.6% of dogs (95% CI 35.8-43.5) were infected by potentially zoonotic species. Leishmania infantum and Dirofilaria repens showed prevalences of 2.5% (95% CI 1.5-4.1) and 2.8% (95% CI 1.7-4.5), respectively. The prevalence of cardiorespiratory parasites was 7.8% (95% CI 5.9-10.3) and included the species Angiostrongylus vasorum, Eucoleus aerophilus, Eucoleus boehmi and D. immitis; the latter showed a prevalence of 0.2% (95% CI 0.001-1). Intestinal parasites were significantly prevalent (38.8%, 95% CI 35-42.7) and they consisted mainly of species of major zoonotic concern, including ancylostomatids, Toxocara canis, Giardia duodenalis, Dipylidium caninum, Taeniidae, Strongyloides stercoralis and Cryptosporidium parvum. Endoparasites were significantly prevalent in clinically suspected dogs. Leishmania infantum and cardiorespiratory nematodes were prevalent in older dogs, while intestinal parasites were prevalent in younger dogs. Results show high dog and public health risks in kennels in central Italy, and suggest the need for more effective control measures.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Leishmania infantum, Dirofilaria spp. and other endoparasite infections in kennel dogs in central Italy

et al. 2018

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“…The southward changing pattern of HW has been detailed in previous studies [26][27][28][29]. Hyperendemic D. immitis infection has been recorded in sheltered dogs from Apulia region (southern Italy) with the highest prevalence of infection (i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Leishmania infantum and Dirofilaria immitis infections in Italy, 2009–2019: changing distribution patterns

et al. 2020

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Background: For long time, canine leishmaniosis (CanL) was considered endemic in the southern, central, and insular regions of Italy, whereas heartworm disease (HW) caused by Dirofilaria immitis was considered endemic in the northern region and in the swampy Po Valley. Following the reports of new foci of both diseases, in this study we update the distribution patterns and occurrence of new foci of CanL and HW discussing the main drivers for the changes in the epidemiology of these two important zoonotic canine vector-borne diseases.Methods: Based on the statistical analyses of serological assays (n = 90,633) on L. infantum exposure and D. immitis infection performed by two reference diagnostic centres in Italy over a ten-year period (2009-2019) irrespective of the anamnesis of dogs. The distribution patterns of both parasites are herein presented along with the occurrence of new foci.Results: Results highlighted the changing distribution patterns of L. infantum vs D. immitis infection in Italy. CanL is endemic in some areas of northern regions and HW has endemic foci in central and southern regions and islands. Significant differences in L. infantum exposure and HW infection prevalence among the study macroareas were detected. The overall results of the positive tested samples were 28.2% in southern Italy and islands, 29.6% in central Italy and 21.6% in northern Italy for L. infantum and 2.83% in northern Italy, 7.75% in central Italy and 4.97% in southern Italy and islands for HW. HW positivity significantly varied over years (χ 2 = 108.401, df = 10, P < 0.0001), gradually increasing from 0.77% in 2009 to 8.47% in 2016-2017.Conclusions: New potential epidemiological scenarios are discussed according to a range of factors (e.g. environmental modifications, occurrence of competent insect vectors, transportation of infected animals to non-endemic areas, chemoprophylaxis or vector preventative measures), which may affect the current distribution. Overall, the results advocate for epidemiological surveillance programmes, more focussed preventative and control measures even in areas where few or no cases of both diseases have been diagnosed.

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“…The southward changing pattern of HW has been detailed in previous studies [26][27][28][29]. A recent questionnaire study pointed out Brindisi and Lecce, from Apulia region, to be areas with more than 20 cases of HW caused by D. immitis [30].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 86%

Leishmania infantum and Dirofilaria immitis infections in Italy, 2009-2019: changing distribution patterns

Mendoza‐Roldan

Benelli

Panarese

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: For long time, canine leishmaniosis (CanL) was considered endemic in the southern, central, and insular regions of Italy, whereas heartworm disease (HW) by Dirofilaria immitis in the northern region and in the swampy Po valley. Following the reports of new foci of both diseases, in this study we update the distribution patterns and occurrence of new foci of CanL and HW discussing the main drivers for the changes in the epidemiology of these two important zoonotic canine vector-borne diseases. Methods: Based on the statistical analyses of serological assays (n=90,633) on L. infantum exposure and D. immitisinfection performed by reference diagnostic centres in Italy over a ten-year period (2009–2019), the distribution patterns of both pathogens were herein presented along with the occurrence of new foci. Results: Results highlighted the changing distribution patterns of L. infantum vs D. immitis infection in Italy. CanL is now endemic also in the northern regions and HW has endemic foci in central and southern regions and islands.Significant differences in L. infantum exposure and HW infection prevalence among the study macroareas were detected. The overall prevalence of L. infantum exposure was 28.2% in southern Italy and Islands, 29.6% in central Italy and 21.6% in northern Italy and that of HW of 2.83% in northern Italy, 7.75% in central Italy and 4.97% in southern Italy and islands. HW prevalence significantly varied over years (χ2=108.401, d.f.=10, p<0.0001), gradually increasing from 0.77% in 2009 to 8.47% in 2016-2017. Conclusions: The new epidemiological scenarios have been discussed according to a range of factors (e.g. environmental modifications, occurrence of competent insect vectors, transportation of infected animals to non-endemic areas, chemoprophylaxis or vector preventative measures), which may affect the current distribution. Overall, results advocate for epidemiological surveillance programs, more focussed preventative and control measures even in areas where few or none cases of both diseases have been diagnosed.

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Dirofilaria immitis and Angiostrongylus vasorum: the contemporaneous detection in kennels

Cited by 15 publications

References 33 publications

Leishmania infantum, Dirofilaria spp. and other endoparasite infections in kennel dogs in central Italy

Leishmania infantum, Dirofilaria spp. and other endoparasite infections in kennel dogs in central Italy

Leishmania infantum and Dirofilaria immitis infections in Italy, 2009–2019: changing distribution patterns

Leishmania infantum and Dirofilaria immitis infections in Italy, 2009-2019: changing distribution patterns

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