Dirofilaria immitis in a Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra)

Saraiva, A.L. De Lima; Sousa, Shirliane de Araújo; Silva, J.; Andrade, S.; Botelho, Núbia Estéfane Gomes; Canavarro, I.; Costa, Marcus Rodrigues da; Ferreira, Fabiana Vargas; Meier, Karina Maria; Silva, J.A.; Tiago, J.; Kanoun-Boulé, M.

doi:10.1016/j.jcpa.2012.11.169

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Additionally, in a national serological survey conducted in red foxes, 8.5% were positive for D. immitis circulating antigen, with positive animals found in northern and southern areas of Portugal [44]. Dirofilaria immitis has also been reported in three Eurasian otters, Lutra lutra , in Portuguese natural freshwater habitats [45, 46] and, recently, in a collection of pinnipeds from Algarve [47]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular characterization of Dirofilaria spp. circulating in Portugal

et al. 2017

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BackgroundDirofilariosis is a potentially zoonotic parasitic disease, mainly transmitted by mosquito vectors in many parts of the world. Data concerning the canine Dirofilaria species currently circulating in Portugal is scarce. Thereby, a large-scale study was conducted to determine the Dirofilaria spp. present in Portugal, based on a molecular approach, and also to optimize a reliable and highly sensitive species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that could be used for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilaria repens, and other concurrent filarial species in animal reservoirs.MethodsBlood samples were collected from three districts of Portugal (Coimbra, Santarém and Setúbal) between 2011 and 2013. Samples were tested using rapid immunomigration tests (Witness® Dirofilaria), modified Knott’s technique and acid phosphatase histochemical staining. In addition, molecular analysis was performed by amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region using two different PCR protocols, specific for molecular screening of canine filarial species.ResultsOf the 878 dogs sampled, 8.8% (n = 77) were positive for D. immitis circulating antigen and 13.1% (n = 115) positive for microfilariae by the modified Knott’s technique. Of the 134 samples tested by acid phosphatase histochemical staining, 100 (74.6%) were positive for D. immitis. Overall, 13.7% (n = 120) were positive by PCR for D. immitis by ITS2, of which 9.3% (67/720) were also positive by ITS1. ITS2 PCR was the most sensitive and specific method, capable of detecting mixed D. immitis and A. reconditum infections. Heterozygosity, in the form of double peaks, was detected by sequencing of both ITS regions. No D. repens was detected by any of the diagnostic methods.ConclusionsThe present study confirmed D. immitis as the dominant species of the genus Dirofilaria infecting Portuguese dogs, based on sequencing of ITS1 and ITS2 PCR fragments. Additionally, ITS2 PCR was the most adequate method for diagnosis and prevalence estimation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular characterization of Dirofilaria spp. circulating in Portugal

et al. 2017

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“…Among mustelids, D. immitis infection is known to occur in ferrets, Mustela putorius furo, which also act as reservoirs [28]. Occasionally, the parasite has been reported also in Eurasian otters, Lutra lutra [13,29,30], including one case with confirmed patency [31].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The European Badger as a New Host for Dirofilaria immitis and an Update on the Distribution of the Heartworm in Wild Carnivores from Romania

Ionică

Deak

Boncea³

et al. 2022

Pathogens

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Dirofilaria immitis is an important mosquito-borne nematode, being of both veterinary and public health concern. The typical final host is represented by the domestic dog, Canis familiaris, but it is able to infect a large variety of mammalian species. During the present study (March 2016–February 2022), a total of 459 wild carnivore carcasses belonging to 17 species, from Romania, were evaluated for the presence of adult D. immitis by necropsy. Overall, 20 animals (4.36%) were positive: twelve golden jackals, C. aureus (19.05%); four red foxes, Vulpes vulpes (6.67%); one raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides; two wild cats, Felis silvestris (4.65%); and one European badger, Meles meles (0.87%). This study provides further evidence of the occurrence of the canine heartworm, D. immitis, in Romania, expanding the known host spectrum, reports a new host species for this parasite, the European badger, and a new host for Europe, the raccoon dog.

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